I have a 5-year old Red Bud tree that has a vertical split in the area where 2 limbs grew like a Y - split about 10", right down the middle. The tree looks very healthy and is currently loaded with blossoms. What can I do to prevent further damage? Can I somehow wrap the 2 limbs to bind them together? The limbs are about 2" in diameter, and the tree base about 4" diam. Please advise! Thanks!

Dear Beverly: You can cable the two branches together by using eyebolts, cable and a turnbuckle and some cable clamps You will need to move up from the split several inches and drill a hole in each of the two Y branches so the holes are facing each other. Place an eyebolt in each hole, using a washer and nut on he outside. Open up the turnbuckle and estimate how much cable you will need to connect each eybolt i the two branches with the corresponding eybolt in the turnbuckle. Once this is all together, use the turnbuckle to tighten the cable, pulling the split crotch together. If you are lucky, the split will mend itself. Due to the small size of the tree, use the smallest eyebolts, turnbukle and cable possible. Good luck with the repair.

Richard Hentschel