Tree branch chewed off, how to deal with stump left behind

[NotEnoughTime]

I had this tree outside and a bunny decided to snack on it. It took the lower most branch, which I had been growing out for several years. It was about 5 inches long and really helped give some balance to my tree. As you can see in the pictures a new branch has sprouted out from the stump left behind.

I would like to grow it out, but need advice on making it look less deformed. I know I can't have the old branch back, but is there any way to train this branch to take it's place?

Is it possible to bind it to the stump so that it grows into the stump?

What other options do I have?

 

[0soyoung]

You can wire the new branch and then carefully position it as you want (Al wire slightly thinner than the new branch should do) and/or wait until spring, prune back to a pair of leaves that has one bud pointing in the direction you want the stem to grow - carefully remove the leaf on that side (cut through the leaf's petiole) and remove the opposite bud+leaf . Buds, of course, are at the base of each leaf.

 

[sorce]

Do you have enough time to grow the whole tree from that branch?

If not....

I would make a .....
Is it pierneef? The Savannah tree....

That way.... Your "giraffe" cannot reach your leaves!

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[c54fun]

Maybe some rabbit stew to prevent it from happening again

 

[Derek Beaumont]

Do you have any pictures from before the incident? If you have time I'd think you should be able to train it close just with wire. After some time as the new branch grows, the 'stump' will be less evident. You could then cut the rest if the stump off. I would wait to do that though because it could cause stress on the new branch. Using the wire you could certainly pull it close to the new branch but be careful as that could restrict the new branch and leave lasting scars. Good luck

 

[Smoke]

Given enough time, the new one will be just like the old one. Clean up the small wood left by the old branch and smooth it to the leader you now have. Just let it grow this next year and then wire it. It will be good as new in about three years.

 

[Potawatomi13]

I had this tree outside and a bunny decided to snack on it. It took the lower most branch, which I had been growing out for several years. It was about 5 inches long and really helped give some balance to my tree. As you can see in the pictures a new branch has sprouted out from the stump left behind.

I would like to grow it out, but need advice on making it look less deformed. I know I can't have the old branch back, but is there any way to train this branch to take it's place?

Is it possible to bind it to the stump so that it grows into the stump?

What other options do I have?

"Deformed" is what Bonsai is all about.