Does a young tree with an accidentally broken tip develop normally?
Question:I had ordered it from a nursery in another state and it was damaged during the packaging process. Apparently, they bent the tip to make the tree fit the box and thus broke it. I wonder whether I should still plant it under the circumstances. Will it recuperate? Will it grow normally?
Answers:
The tip, as you call it, is also known as the leader. You will need to prune the tree so that a new leader appears. This requires shaping the tree in a pyramidal fashion with the leader protruding from the inside center and being the tallest of the upward mobile branches.
Many trees and shrubs do not respond well to pruning during the growing season, but more so when they are dormant.. This tree is probably dormant because it isn't in the ground, and in shock ! This is as good a time as any to shape it so it will survive.
You definitely need to prune the shape back...I personally would hold the nursery responsible. That was their error. You need to contact them they may exchange the tree or give you a voucher on next purchase.
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