On 8/4/2010 1:10 PM, Zootal wrote:
I have a small red pear tree that produces the most wonderful red pears. A
while ago I discovered the trunk had split:

http://deadice.no-ip.info/stuff/2010.../images/08-04-
10_0911.JPG

http://deadice.no-ip.info/stuff/2010.../images/08-04-
10_0910.JPG

It's easy to see why, though I had no idea that the twin leaders would
cause this to happen. So, the question is, can this tree be saved? I
thought of wrapping something around the split, but I'm not sure what I can
use that would be strong enough, and I'm not sure the wound will heal. I
thought of removing one side and seeing if the other would survive. Is
there any way to save this tree?

Google for "bolt split tree" [without the quotes, of course} and see what
you think. It can be done but it calls for caution so as not to damage the
cambium excessively which will kill the tree as surely as anything. Given
that it is a small tree and unlikely to become a hazard I'd certainly be
willing to give bolting a try if it were my tree. I'd consider using
stainless steel hardware and would certainly avoid galvanized or plated
because of the possibility of leaching nasty heavy metals into the sap --
cadmium in your pears is not something I'd want.