I just noticed a branch split on my Japanese Maple. I planted it three years ago, and it's been thriving in my horrible clay soil. It's my favorite thing in my garden, and I'm so upset.

It's close to the house but in a wind tunnel, so in the winter I put up stakes and wrap burlap around them to protect it from the wind.

I tied some cord around it to support it a bit, as this is the largest branch of the tree and I don't want the weight to split it further. The good news is that even though the branch is split, both parts of the branch have new growth on them. Is there anything else I can do to save this branch?

There are a lot of examples of splinting a tree online. Give it a try? It sounds like over time it might heal itself. I've done it with a plumeria branch.

Super glue it. Used super glue for grafting far back in the 80s. Plants responded successfully. Use wire to keep it together. Check bonsai gear sites for the wire and google on how to wiring bonsai. Get the glue that is gel like. You can take the wires off later. There are plant hormones that can be used to initiate new growth to close the break.

Hi
Wrap it with gorilla tape, tight as you can.
Regards John

Thanks so much for the replies, now I'm hopeful! I'll try glue, duct tape, and finish it off with plastic twist ties. Since it's a small branch I don't think it needs to be bolted. I'll see if the branch needs to be propped up, I'd really like to avoid trimming it.

I used popsicle sticks and painter's tape. It self-healed.