Mail-order mishap, do I need to prune the big branch?

[luckycloud]

An avocado (Day) that was shipped to me lost two branches in shipping, leaving the tree terribly lopsided. Do I need to trim that large branch down to the buds near the trunk? Or even more drastically than that? Will this thing ever recover? It looks like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree to me. I can get a refund or replacement, but I'd like to also help this tree have the best life it can. Any suggestions welcome.

[Seanny]

I would keep it to help developing bigger trunk. Remove it after new central leader get decent size.

Other option is to trim stub and strap the branch to a stake to make 45 degree. Tighten straps slowly, like every 3-4 days, until it get upright. Don't strap it upright first day.

[spaugh]

I would get a longer stake so that you can strap the branch onto it and pull it upwards like mentioned. 

[Cookie Monster]

Bend it straight to form the new leader and stake it.

[luckycloud]

Thanks all, seems like a consensus. When should the new leader be cut back to encourage branching?

[simon_grow]

You might also want to consider painting the trunk to prevent sunburn since there isn’t much Foliage on your tree.

Simon

[behlgarden]

An avocado (Day) that was shipped to me lost two branches in shipping, leaving the tree terribly lopsided. Do I need to trim that large branch down to the buds near the trunk? Or even more drastically than that? Will this thing ever recover? It looks like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree to me. I can get a refund or replacement, but I'd like to also help this tree have the best life it can. Any suggestions welcome.

I would cut the lopsided branch leaving 6 inches intact. Avacadoes grow quick, you will have nicer low height canopy that way, use budwood to graft on other seedlings if you got any,

[luckycloud]

I don't have any seedlings right now, just started one yesterday though, in hopes of using prunings from this for a graft.