Juniper branch repair help

[Walther]

Hello all,

Upon unwiring a branch it slightly snapped at the joint with another branch.

This is a very important branch as its the front of the tree.
How do you go about repairing it?
I have the japanese cut paste thats like a clay.

Do I apply that into the split or over the split? Prior to raffia and support wire.

Picture attached.
I applied some cut paste but then started wondering if it am even supposed to put it inside the split or just over it.

If i put a little cut paste in the split will it be alright?

Thank you

 

[leatherback]

the split merely weakens the junction -itt will never get strong again- but does not threaten the branch. I would just connect the two branches with eachother and the main branch and allow them to grow. Nurse the small sprout a little bit nearer to the main trunk and develop that so it replaces this junction over time.

 

[shimbrypaku]

I have done this before, I use raffia to stabilize the break/ crack. I leave it on for a year or two.

Thanks

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

If i put a little cut paste in the split will it be alright

It will be alright, but it will not connect back to each other if there's cut paste in there.
For plant tissue to merge you need contact, pressure, and time.
The pressure and time can be done. The cut paste in between will inhibit proper contact. Cutting it out seems like a worse idea than leaving it.

Splits like this are common, we all make them, we all have them. I mark them with a piece of alu tape so that I don't forget they're there for a year or two. The wounds will heal and the site is likely to close (scar tissue overgrowing both edges) in some growing seasons, but it will be a weak spot forever.
Don't eat yourself up about it, it happens to all of us.

 

[Walther]

Thank you all for the responses. I ended up just putting the paste over the split, wrapping it in raffia and applying a support wire. I think it’ll be alright

 

[shimbrypaku]

As stated by guy _wires the cut paste will hinder the healing of the two cambium layers you are trying to heal and mend.

Now that you have it all together with raffia, I would leave it alone.

Thanks

 

[Baron von Smoogle]

I've snapped several branches before. I held it back in place and super glued it. It has worked both times.
The difference with mine is they were not conifers.

 

[shimbrypaku]

Never thought to use superglue, I will need to remember that tip.
Thanks

 

[shimbrypaku]

I snapped a few branches on one of my seiju elm the other day applying guy wires, could have tried this technique.
You look at a seiju elm and they snap, hahahahaha
Thanks again

 

[SgtPilko]

For a break like this, I would usually leave the interior clean, secure back together with a zip tie (cable tie) nice and tight, then apply the liquid cut paste e.g. kiyonal on the exposed edges on the exterior. You should be alright I think, just leave it now unbothered for an extended period of time.

 

[SgtPilko]

I snapped a few branches on one of my seiju elm the other day applying guy wires, could have tried this technique.
You look at a seiju elm and they snap, hahahahaha
Thanks again

Brittle species can be super distressing! For me satsuki, box, sometimes thicker maple pieces, all have a bit of give until suddenly, they don't! I find it good to 'warm up' before starting serious work e.g. get my hands in there on the trees for a while before any bigger moves and keep reminding myself to err on the side of caution.