[CANUFNET] Pruning Wound Treatment

[Pyne, Aidon via CANUFNET]

It is unlikely that silver Maple will be able to occlude a 24” wound any time in the next decade and it would be advisable to prevent the constant moisture that may persist and exacerbate decay pathogens.  Paint, tar, metal are all tried and tested but I would suggest a barrier that will allow the wound to fully dry out and not retain moisture behind the barrier.  Metal may look the least pleasing aesthetically but would sheet off the rain and snow and allow air to travel underneath.  Paints and tars of various types are still up for discussion so I won’t comment on what kind or types is best   ?  If the slope of the cut is sufficient to stop pooling water on the surface of the cut I would leave it alone personally.

Aidon Pyne
BCMA
City of Coquitlam

From: CANUFNET [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of C. Kavassalis via CANUFNET
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2018 10:47 AM
To: Canadian Urban Forest Network
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] Pruning Wound Treatment

I received the following inquiry to the Master Gardener Forum and am hoping to tap your collective expertise to know what the current standard is for pruning wounds.

"We just had a 2 foot diameter limb of our 100 year old silver maple removed. It has been cut on a slope nearly to the ground. It has been suggested that the cut surface should be capped with sheet metal rather than painted with tar or whatever is often used. My question is, do we need to do anything to it or just leave it to "heal" over."

Thank you for your assistance.

Best Regards,
Catherine Kavassalis
Halton Master Gardeners
http://www.mgoi.ca/
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