I saved a main branch on this same tree a couple of years ago by splicing the split back together with brass carriage bolts. It worked great. This split, though, is worse than that one and I don't know if there's enough attachment left to save the branch and be worth the hassle. I'll have to hoist the branch together with rope before I could attempt the repair and it seems it will be a PITA, but it will be worth it to me if it could work. Any expert opinions on whether this is doable?

If the wood looks good , get a long threaded rod (steel) about 1/2".....pull it tight together with big 3" washers ....TIGHT... CUT OFF EXCESS ROD AND ENJOY...worth the try to save a tree this size!

My Dad did this to a nominal 6" live oak in Bay City after hurricane Carla that was split lengthwise... Used two galvanized bolts because that is what he could find!!! Tree is still there! Bolt and washers totally grown over! Good Luck

Yep. Do what he said. That's about your only hope. Big ass rod, big ass washers, tighten te piss out of it. Tree will heal and grow around it.

And treat the tree for insects

Great news! I was hoping to hear it wasn't too far gone. I planted this tree 7 years ago when it was about the thickness of a pencil. It was a seedling from an elm at my wife's childhood home. It has been amazing how big and fast it has grown. Taking out this branch would leave a heck of a hole on one side that would make me sick, so I'm going to give this a go after work. Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

Finally got working on this. Used a come-along and rope rigging to hoist the branch up. Then drilled the hole and used a 1/2x8" stainless bolt, nut and washers to hold everything together. One side of the split came together great, but the other side still has a good gap between the split. The branch and leaves looks fine, despite splitting over a week ago, so I'm hopeful it scabs over nicely with time.

Wow. If that doesn't work it wasn't from lack of effort.

very cool - hope that works. what kind of elm is that?

Thanks. I'm no expert, but I THINK its a chinese elm. It has the smooth bark that peels off periodically and makes the trunk look mottled with grey, orange and brown. Pretty cool trees, but like I said, this is the 2nd split I've had to repair so they're prone to wind/storm damage. However, I do have 2 others that are just as big that I've never had to repair.

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Thanks. I'm no expert, but I THINK its a chinese elm. It has the smooth bark that peels off periodically and makes the trunk look mottled with grey, orange and brown. Pretty cool trees, but like I said, this is the 2nd split I've had to repair so they're prone to wind/storm damage. However, I do have 2 others that are just as big that I've never had to repair.

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yes i thought it was chinese evergreen elm but wanted to check. wish they would grow here (virginia). too cold for them. beautiful trees.

Ulmus parvifolia

Huh. I was going to suggest getting some type of product to fill in or otherwise cover the split side that is still open, but apparently that is actually worse for the tree than just letting it heal on its own and hoping for the best with regard to infection or infestation.

You should, however, look at the branch that split and do selective trimming to reduce the stress on the split, and even look at adding some cable supports higher up from the split to minimize stress as well.

That is some hell for solid work though, I can imagine that took a pretty substantial amount of effort on your part.

I kept thinking I should be trying to patch or seal that gap, so I'm glad you said that. I'll just leave it alone and hope for the best.

I wish I would have thought to take pictures of my rigging to hoist the limb back up. There is a substantial fork just above the split that I was able to use to route the hoist cable. The come-along made the job pretty easy. I won't lie, though, it was a bit unnerving to be standing in a tree 15' above the ground cranking this branch up and counting on my knots to hold and the rope to not break. There was a hell of a lot of tension on the rig with the limb raised back up. Once I got the nut cranked down it took enough tension off the rigging to remove it without much trouble.

The fallen limb left a heck of a hole in the canopy which didn't look good at all. We're even selling and moving out of this house in 2 months. After planting and caring for this thing for the last 7 years, I couldn't bring myself to just cut it off.