Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Methods of protecting/covering tree wounds over winter

IronSquirrelIronSquirrel Posts: 68
edited December 2021 in Problem solving
https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/1060863/splits-in-pleached-red-robins#latest

As I mentioned in my previous thread (photos included) my friends photonias have been improperly staked, and are suffering splits and in a few cases, they're growing into the stakes.

Come the frost and damp weather, this is gonna really damage them, and besides replacing the stakes with the method described, what methods of covering up the splits and stake-wounds would best work do you think?

Much appreciated,
“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin”
Trolius & Cressida

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Trees and shrubs have built in self heal mechanisms.   Remove ties and stakes that are too tight as they will be strangling the trees.  You've already had advice form @Dovefromabove about replacing the current stakes and ties with proper stakes and proper ties which pass a buffer between the stakes and the trees and can be adjusted as the trees grow and increase in girth.  Over time, the wood will naturally ripen and harden and become self supporting.

    Get on and fix the staking mess asap.

    As for the splits, nothing to do but hope they'll heal.  Do not make any fresh cuts and wounds whilst frost is forecast.
    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
  • IronSquirrelIronSquirrel Posts: 68
    What about wrapping, bubble-wrap, hessian sacks, and some wierd sticky brown paper tape I've had recommended?
    “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin”
    Trolius & Cressida
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    IronSquirrel said:
    What about wrapping, bubble-wrap, hessian sacks, and some wierd sticky brown paper tape I've had recommended?
    this will all do more harm than good
    Devon.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I agree … covering or attempting to seal a split can provide somewhere for bacterial infection to lurk. 

    A healthy tree can often heal itself, although it often leaves a raised ‘scar’ as when a human cut has healed. 

    The best course of action is to ensure the tree healthy … amend the ties/staking as I’ve already advised and ensure sufficient and consistent watering through the growing period.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I agree too. Covering tree wounds is no longer recommended for those very reasons. It traps disease.
    It's the same theory as insulation - it can trap cold just as easily as it traps heat. 

    If tree ties are badly used [which I understand is the case] that causes a lot of damage, so that needs attention before anything else. It may be too late if the damage is severe enough, so it might make no difference, but if it is severe, you'd only be hastening the demise by covering the fissures.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AthelasAthelas Posts: 946
    edited December 2021
    It’s been said by previous posters, but adding a link — it’s about latex or petroleum based paint for tree wounds but the principle is similar: best to leave them alone.

    https://www.arboristnow.com/news/wound-paint-falling-out-of-favor

    “The paint tends to prevent the formation of woundwood, thereby increasing the length of time that the tree is susceptible to pathogens. Additionally, the paint traps any bacteria or fungi present, where they can feast on the freshly cut wood. Paint also traps moisture inside the wood, which further retards the rate of woundwood formation and helps nourish any fungi present. Some paints even serve as a food source for pathogens”
    Cambridgeshire, UK
  • IronSquirrelIronSquirrel Posts: 68
    Ok, so wrapping for the sake of wound protection is a no,

    I think a binding or taping in the right place to help protect against any further splitting through ? 
    “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin”
    Trolius & Cressida
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited December 2021
    No, nothing at all.  The splits are due to an internal infection and the trees will either heal themselves naturally, or die above the damaged area.  If they beat the infection and survive, they will try to grow new bark to cover the exposed heartwood, so the trunks will become thicker where the damage was, and anything restricting that new growth will make things worse.  If the splits continue to extend, it will be due to the infection spreading internally, and there's nothing you can do about that, other than cross your fingers and hope the trees can heal themselves in time.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
Sign In or Register to comment.