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What to do with nails in a mature tree

andyferrisandyferris Posts: 12
in Problem solving

We have a 40ft Plane tree in our garden, that we inherited when we moved in a few months ago.

A previous owner has hammered nails into the main trunk, perhaps about 20 of them, presumably for lacing Christmas lights to.

I hate to see this and would like to remove them, but don't know if I should. Will taking them out damage the tree or leave it vulnerable to infections?

The tree is huge and seems healthy enough, but the sight of rusty nails in the trunk is not nice.

Thanks

Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Somewhere in the future a tree surgeon is cursing the previous owner for blunting his chainsaw. I'd take them out.

    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • treehugger80treehugger80 Posts: 1,923
    if you can get them out do so, if not then cut them off as close to the trunk possible, that way the bark will heal over the top of them.
    if they've been in for a while its obviously doing the tree no harm.
  • micearguersmicearguers Posts: 646
    A big crowbar is your best bet, if the nails still have heads on them.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Best to get them out.  Nails are not good for trees.  They interfere with the flow of sap in the layer under the bark and that effects growth and can also make them sick over time. 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Well trees will grow around metal...


    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    The nails aren't made of copper, are they?
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Trees will grow around objects such as wire but that's not the same as having a petal nail hammered into them and injuring them.  As RG implies, copper is particularly bad for trees.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • andyferrisandyferris Posts: 12
    They aren't copper, just plain rusty metal, but the heads are good so I think I can pull them out. I will use a piece of wood as a fulcrum to protect the bark. Thanks for your replies
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