in my experience ... when this happens.. the D will die ...

it happens with age.. as well as by injury ....

D has some weird interior twisting wood ... and due to such ... it just doesnt react like other trees and shrubs ...

i would tend to agree with you that cutting off all the leaves would not be a good idea ... D is not like a lilac.. that has suckers... nor will it react as such .. triggering new growth ...

wing it.. let us know if you win ...

ken

Thanks, Ken. I am also thinking about trying to propagate a daphne new shrub from a branch cutting, but I have never done it before and am not sure about the best way to go about it.

Daphne, particularly those of the burkwoodii variety such as Carol Mackie, are notorious for splitting lenghthwise. Heavy, wet snow is frequently the immediate cause but it can happen in other ways as well, as you have discovered. You can try cutting off all the growth above and just below the break and then hope for re-sprouting. If this was a named variety, though, it was probably grafted, so whatever sprouts would be from the understock. Splinting up the split stem is not at all likely to work. Attempting to root some branches is more possible. There should be lots of information online about how to do this. The chief requirement is good light but no direct sun, 100% humidity such as under plastic and lots of patience.

Heavy, wet snow is frequently the immediate cause

===>>> in my MI ... they are deciduous ... so i dont recall the snow load issue ...

but i can add that a hundred pound dog can crush one ... idiot dog ...

ken