How to Repair a Split Ornamental Maple

Disinfect your pruning tools before you begin, since a damaged maple tree's wounds will be easily susceptible to disease. Soak the tools for at least 5 minutes in a 25 percent bleach solution. Mix the solution by adding 1 part household bleach to 3 parts water.

Put on work gloves, safety glasses and a hard hat before attempting to work on a damaged tree.

Prune off broken branches to relieve the stress on the split maple. Use pruning shears or pole pruners for smaller branches and a pruning saw for larger ones. Make your cuts close to the branch collar, the raised area where the branch meets the trunk. Do not cut into the trunk unless you must remove a branch that has already split into the trunk; doing so can weaken the tree's natural defenses against disease or infestation.

Pull the two halves of the tree together at the top of the split. For younger or smaller trees, pull the halves together by hand and tie them with sturdy rope. For larger trees with thicker trunks, you might need to use a block-and-tackle pulley, in which case you would place it 2 feet above the split and hook the upper portion on a strong horizontal limb.

Drill a hole in each side of the split, using a 7/16-inch drill bit. For long splits, add additional holes at 12 to 18-inch intervals for increased stability of the wound. Slide a 3/8-inch bolt into each hole, and then tighten each corresponding nut with a wrench.

Remove the rope or block-and-tackle stabilizer after all bolts are secure, and then move the rope or block-and-tackle 3 feet above the split. Pull the ropes taut to further stabilize the maple's split.