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.

Tree Repair

longerlonger Posts: 15
in Problem solving
 We have a silver birch tree in our garden that has had a branch lopped off some time ago. the residue of the branch has now started to rot, and the rot is working its way into the main trunk of the tree. I had it in mind to cut the rotten wood away and seal off the site of the rot, to stop the rot working any further into the tree, what can I fill and seal the trunk with.
«1

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Could we see a photo of the the damaged area and the whole tree please - it will help with our advice. We need to see the patient as it were.

    Sealing damaged parts of trees with some sort of paint is no longer recommended as it often causes more damage to occur as it seals in and protects pathogens.
    Trees have their own method of dealing with damage, but I think we need to see the wound before giving advice.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • longerlonger Posts: 15
    Hi Pete,
              Hope these photo's help.
  • longerlonger Posts: 15
    Photo of tree
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited October 2022
    Silver birch are short-lived trees whose wood readily rots.

    Cut it down before it falls down.  Replace it with a new tree.  Perhaps a silver birch.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • longerlonger Posts: 15
    I have had it checked qualified tree surgeon who says rest of the tree is sound. Plus it has a preservation order on it. 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Thanks @longer - good photos

    It's not a problem I have any experience of, but I'm sure other members will chip in.

    The usual advice would be to cleanly remove the stub of the old branch to within an inch or so of the main healthy trunk, cutting at an angle so that rain will run off. The bare stump will then callous over protecting it from further rot or disease.
    That assumes that the main trunk doesn't have rot.
    That can be done anytime over winter

    Didn't tree tree surgeon offer advice?

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Who am I to argue with a qualified tree surgeon who has actually seen the tree?

    Just keep away when the wind blows.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    TPO's can be overcome if the tree is unsafe, you just have to do the correct paperwork.  Do as Pete.8 says but keep a close eye on it. If the rot gets into the main trunk it will have to go.
    AB Still learning

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    You can't cut anything off a tree with  TPO without permission.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    As I  said you have to do the correct paperwork!
    AB Still learning

Sign In or Register to comment.