Will it grow back?

[daveswoodhauler]

I have a number of pine trees that are snapped off at the top due to the ice storm in December. I had the leaning ones brought down that were hovering over the power lines, but my question is for those still standing.
I have about 4 trees where a good number of the green branches - say 50-60% of the foliage was snapped off...anyone know if these will rejuvinate? or are they going to become standing dead wood? (I know there is not an exact answer...just wondering if folks have had this happen and if they grew back at all)
Will try to post pics later.
Thanks.

 

[savageactor7]

If you cut the top off another lower branch will take over as a leader and the tree will look somewhat normal in about 3-4 years.

 

[daveswoodhauler]

Thanks Savage....looks like I am going to have some funky looking trees then.....just didn't want to take them down.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Or many of the limbs will shoot up evenly and you'll have a full top. We see that a lot here.

 

[RedRanger]

If you cut the top off another lower branch will take over as a leader and the tree will look somewhat normal in about 3-4 years.

This is what we get in this area quite often. Just be aware of the fact that usually the new leader or leaders will never be as strong as the main trunk. Therefore will be more susipectible to future breakage.

 

[daveswoodhauler]

Good knowledge to have. Thanks for the posts.
Here is the issue....the pines that have the tops missing are about 10-15 feet from the power line on an easement on my property. Just the topds broke off, so not a big issue...just was worried that the tree would die and then topple over on to the line...mywhole frontyard is basically a forest, so I was concerned the trees would die and come down like the last ice storm that we were without power for over a week. My heart really goes out to the folks down in Kentucky.

 

[CowboyAndy]

When hurricane Gloria went through Massachusetts years ago we had a pine tree in the back yard that was snapped and half. It is still alive, but has not grown vertical at all.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

If you cut the top off another lower branch will take over as a leader and the tree will look somewhat normal in about 3-4 years.

This is what we get in this area quite often. Just be aware of the fact that usually the new leader or leaders will never be as strong as the main trunk. Therefore will be more susipectible to future breakage.

x2

 

[hensonconst1]

Good knowledge to have. Thanks for the posts.
Here is the issue....the pines that have the tops missing are about 10-15 feet from the power line on an easement on my property. Just the topds broke off, so not a big issue...just was worried that the tree would die and then topple over on to the line...mywhole frontyard is basically a forest, so I was concerned the trees would die and come down like the last ice storm that we were without power for over a week. My heart really goes out to the folks down in Kentucky.

yesterday we had 60 m/h winds that took the power out again. once it started looking ok it went to s*&$ again for a lot of people.