The trunk is the single most important natural structure of a tree. It’s responsible for providing stability, as well as absorbing much-needed water and nutrients.
As such, it’s discouraging when you discover a massive crack running straight down the middle of your tree’s trunk. Whether it’s from strong winds, ground erosion, stress or a combination thereof, split trunks can prove devastating for trees.
Before you go chopping the tree down, however, you should first attempt to fix it.
Inspect the Damage
The first thing you should do is inspect the tree to determine the location and extent of the damage.
- Is the split going straight through the trunk or does it stop halfway through?
- Is the split located in the dead-center of the trunk?
- How deep is the split?
- Is there any signs of pest infestation or decay in the split?
These are just a few of the questions that you should attempt to answer before proceeding.
Mending the Split
Assuming the split is straight down the middle, and it’s not too deep, you may be able to mend it. Before doing so, however, you should trim away some of the branches and excess growth so there’s less weight pushing against the trunk.
Next, apply tree pruning sealer to the damaged trunk, adding a thick coat as a barrier of protection. Most plant nurseries and even home improvement stores sell this stuff.
And in the event that you are unable to find it locally, you can always order a bottle over the Internet. Tree pruning sealer is ideal for situations such as this, so don’t skip this critical step.
Some green thumbs have also reported success when mending their trees with shellac. Basically, shellac is a naturally occurring wax-like resin that’s produced by insects.
You can apply it to the split trunk just like any traditional tree pruning sealer, after which the trunk will be sealed and protected from damage.
Of course, mending a tree using the aforementioned technique isn’t always an option. If your tree’s trunk is split significantly on one side rather than going straight down the middle, it may be best to simply cut away the damaged section.
Cutting away a small portion of the tree shouldn’t cause any permanent, lasting damage. The tree will likely heal itself and continue to grow as normal.
The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.
If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or
It’s definitely a good idea to inspect the damage of the tree first. One of my trees in my backyard has deep split in it now and it makes it easier to tell the tree removal company. I think I will just have my tree removed completely, but I wish I could save it. Thanks for the tips!
Nice post with the information. Always call the professional services provider if the tree is splitting.
Assess any damaged tree to determine whether it is injured beyond saving.If the tree has lost its trunk or trunk has split completely or one side has fallen away from the other, should be taken down and replaced
Great article! My aunt used to have a tree in her front yard that was split and she just left it there for YEARS before having someone come out and removed it. I think she probably could have saved that tree if she would have had a tree service come out and work their magic.
Anytime that it’s possible to save a tree as opposed to removing it entirely, I am always in favor of the former. Awesome article and thanks for informing people that trees can be mended after a split occurs.
Didn’t even know you could mend a tree trunk. I will go to my local nursery to see if they have the sealer your talking about.
Thanks for the advice about how you might be able to mend the split if it’s not too deep and straight down the middle. I’ll have to see if I can fix my tree and if not then I’ll have to find a professional to help me. Another thing to keep in mind is making sure to find a tree service that has licensed professionals.
Really helpful Blog thank you for information about tree split trunk
Boom! Just what I’ve been looking for. Simple and to the point. Got a split trunk I’ve been dealing with.
My tree has split trunk because a large dead branch was cut off and it was unbalanced, pulled to one side. Before I read it, I chopped down the large healthy branch and stabilized the split with braces. There are numerous small branches growing at the bottom of the tree which I hope will take over, but I’m afraid the top part will be lost as there is no evidence of new growth starting there. I’ll try the sealer though, so thanks for the tip.
Hello, we have a beautiful tree that was growing on an angle next to our pond. Much of it was hanging over the pond creating some really beautiful scenery. Unfortunately during the recent nor’easter when we came back to the home we found the tree leaning over as it had a rather large split in the middle of the trunk it poses no danger but, I’m concerned whether or not it will die as a result. It’s roots are still firmly in the soil as if nothing has ever happened. Thank you.
Get a professional or if your handy inspect it and drill 2 holes through it and place rods with thread so u can brace the tree and at the top use steel cable to further brace it.
I have been told to mend mine by drilling a hole through both of the split trunk, then insert a rod with screwed at each end, and to keep tightening the screws over the course of the year and the trunk with heal itself and mend. Must apply a mixture of alcohol, baking soda and water to the cut beforehand and to to rod and drill as well.
Teresa,
what are the recommended proportions of alcohol, baking soda, and water?
Thanks for the great information. We have a beautiful oak tree that split and I was happy to hear we could save it. We cut off some lower heavy branches and now have braced it but did not know about the sealant you can use for added protection.
This gives me some hope….I have an apple with a trunk that was several stems fused together. It’s seemed pretty stable, if sprawling, but with a recent rain and a big load of apples, two out of three trunks split off.
What’s left seems stable, but is at an angle (it always has been ), and at the base there’s some exposed wood and a very thin layer of black decay on top of the bark where the trunks separated.
It’s been a great bearer of delicious apples, and I’d like to save that last trunk if I can (preferably without too much expense), so if anyone has suggestions, I’d appreciate it.
Would love to have someone come look at our split tree, wondering about the cost! Thanks
Hi Barb. If you’re in our service area give us a call at 512-846-2535 and we’ll be glad to come out and look at your split tree and provide a recommendation and price.
Perfect blog…The process of caring for a tree that has been split requires a bit of a green thumb and some specialized tree care tools
I live in Roselle, IL and we have a beautiful tree in our front yard. The main trunk has about 5 more trunks growing out from it. Last night during a heavy snowstorm it split the major trunk and the branches attached to the one side that broke collapsed. Is there any way we can save the remainder part of the tree? Where are you located? I would like to have someone look at it and see if any of it can be saved. Also is there a charge to have it looked at? Thank you
Hi Judy. Thank you for your comment. We are located in Taylor, Texas so you should reach out to a local tree care company in your area. Most tree services will come out and assess your situation and provide a quote to perform the work needed.
My tree just split due to nasty winds and tons of freezing rain:(
Sorry to hear that Gloria. If you’re in our service area give us a call and we’ll see what we can do to help.
This post is very helpful. We have a very large black olive that developed a crack in the truck overnight. The tree is very healthy but we had heavy rain after an unusual dry spell. We will find an arborist to mend the damage. If you have affiliates in Miami to recommend it would be appreciated.
Our huge old (about 100 years old) mulberry tree has split on the main branch almost 3/4 way through. However, this was 2 weeks ago and the tree is still continuing to flourish. We did get quote to put steel props underneath but I’m wondering if worth it as huge cost and tree branch might die anyway. Is the fact that still flourishing an indication that likely to survive if pay for props? Is there anything else could recommend? Thanks
Hi Rhona, thanks for reading. I spoke to our in-house arborist and he says that a steel prop could work but you may want to consider cabling and bracing the tree.
My maple is splitting in the middle. Is there some kind of belt to hold it together beside the tree sealer?
Hi Billie. Thanks for reading. I spoke with our in-house Arborist and here is his response your question. “Pruning paint (tree sealer) does not hold wounds or cuts together but only reduces sap flow (liquid band-aid). So that definitely is not sufficient to brace together a split in a tree. Look into tree cabling or tree bracing techniques. Thank you.”
I have a fairly young Australian Bottle tree in my backyard that has a split vertically in the trunk. I live in Arizona. The local nursery told me it will probably die due to the severity of the split. I sealed it with trunk sealer/wound sealer and wrapped it. I hope it makes it until Summer. I understand from the Nursery that planted it two years ago, it happened because I over watered it. 🙁 Wish me luck as it was/is a $500 tree.
Is wood filler a possibility?
This post is very helpfuL!for both residential and commercial properties. Our team is professional and skilled in safely removing trees of all sizes and types. We also provide thorough clean-up services after the job is completed, so you can rest assured that your property will be left in pristine condition.