Apple tree repair?

[Tattie-muncher]

Someone has broken a branch on my wee apple tree, its not snapped off completely, its a break half way through the branch, but for some reason, the broken branch, which has quite a few smaller branches growing off it, is still sprouting leaves, is there any way that I'd be able to repair the break, or do I just have to snap off the broken branch, its right at the heart of the tree, and it will make it look kind of poor if I do have to take it off, as usual, no one did it, I just hope that one day, one of us will catch this "no one" and give him or her what for.

[veggiechicken]

I'm definitely no expert, but my inclination would be to strap the broken branch back together again with grafting tape or something similar, just to hold it together until the break heals.
AND to tell mr or miss no-one that they won't be getting any apples !

[rustylady]

Try what VC said, but if you do decide to remove the branch please don't snap it off. Use sharp secateurs and cut it properly.

[FB.]

If you want to keep the branch, put the branch back into position and wrap the wound with some clingfilm/electrical tape to prevent drying-out while it heals (in the same way as a graft needs to be sealed to prevent drying out).
Then tie the branch to a cane for support.

Do not allow it to bear fruit on that branch this year.

When it goes dormant around November, remove the cane and see how well it has healed and how strong the union of the broken pieces.

If the branch is more than a couple of cm diameter, it may be too big and heavy to ever have enough strength to support fruit, but the branch could still be left in place until next winter and then removed if it looks hopeless.

[boosmummy]

As all of the above really, i once saw someone had done this with an acer, and the broke branch lasted for year and years after, i think they had to un wrap and re-wrap it every couple of years as the branch widened,though im not entirely sure xx

[Madasafish]

I broke a pear tree branch when another tree fell on top of it! (cutting it down oops).. so I splinted it with wood and plastic covered wire and supported it off the ground with a home built wooden truss.

Ten years or so later it's still splinted (replaced the splint twice) and still bearing fruit... just like other branches.

[Tattie-muncher]

Thanks everyone for replying, between what veggiechicken and FB suggested, here's hoping the wee tree will be alright.