Any tree experts out there?

[Mr. Sandman]

I have a sunset maple that is about 30-35' tall and there is a split in one of the main trunks where it divides like a Y about 2/3 of the way up Both sides seem to be surviving OK but there is a gap between the two branches of about 1/2" or so for about 10" down the main trunk. Where the branch is split the main trunk si about 4-5" in dia.

I was thinking of drilling a 3/16" hole thru the both split sides and running a SS bolt with a couple of ss fender washers thru both of them and pull the two a little closer together and just let the tree grow around the bolt and let stay in there forever. I think it would keep either side from splitting any worse.

Is this OK to do or is it another sandman hairbrained scheme


Well...I put a 1/4" threaded rod thru it with a few large fender washers and drew up it tight...hopefully it will learn to live with this and prevent further splitting down the center. Unfortunately it had been cracked for a few months without me noticing(and was partially healed) but when all the leaves came off I saw it so I could not get it really closed up tight but I think it will eventually grow up and swell up around it.