Topic: Need Some Tree Advise

[Bob Wessner]

My grandson beat up on the trunk of a young maple tree (trunk is 6-8 in.). Most of the gashes are bark-deep only, some go through and expose the cambium. In total he took some forty wacks (Tiger Woods beware). Will this tree survive and should the wounds be treated, such as that tar-like material?

[Markcb750]

Unless the tree is completely girdled it should survive, a little tree pruning spray, or car undercoat, will help keep insects from damaging the tree further.


Was it your clubs?

[Bob Wessner]

Not mine, his little brother's, who is four, so we're not talking full size clubs here.. Thankfully. Thanks for the advise.

[bwaller]

Bob there is a material called Doc Farwells Tree Paint out of Washington state I believe. It is a great product that we use on fruit trees. It covers the wound and stretches as the tree heals. It's quite inexpensive.

The problem with a tar material the wound can't breathe and the cambium layer starts to die back.

[Ichiban 4]

Bob..

I've had many cherry trees (a couple of smaller maples w/ 4 & 6 inch calipers too)..that I've had to do '"doctoring" on occasionally.

What I've found that works quite well..as both a wound dressing and cambium stimulant is:  mixing appropriately colored WATER BASED/vinyl paint with a few ounces of Lysol liquid or bleach..Listerine mouth wash works also..then painting liberally on the affected areas. The thicker the paint the better.  I usually get the better quality stuff..that has consistency of thick cream.  Then daub that thoroughly over any breaks in the bark/cambium.  

From my Dental School days..as well as background in Biology..I believe that some sort of antifungal and antibacterial properties are the key to promoting healing and regrowth of new plant tissue.

I agree with others here..that the tar-like stuff isn't so good..as it doesn't let the wound breathe..and I suspect that the petroleum base is actually an irritant rather than growth stimulant.


I've used this on trees that had large areas of cambium damage (elms w/calipers of a couple of feet..damaged areas ..down to cambium..of about half the caliper)..and had them completely heal over with new cambium-bark in a few years..applying periodically as the tree grows/wound heals.

You hear of all sorts of remedies..from doing nothing..to applying plasters and wrapping.  Over the years..I've just found that this method/choice of materials works..and works consistently well.

Let us know how this comes out..okay?

Al / Ichi

[Bob Wessner]

Thanks all, by the way it is my daughter's tree (and son/culprit  ) they live in Columbus. This apparently happened about two days ago and she said she has noticed ants around the wounds. I told her they are no doubt attracted by sap seepage which likely contains some sugars. I'll pass this along to her, thanks again.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Well Bob, as Lynyrd Skynyrd once said, "oak tree you're in my way"  (sorry, I can't help myself sometime  )

[Bob Wessner]

Well Bob, as Lynyrd Skynyrd once said, "oak tree you're in my way"  (sorry, I can't help myself sometime  )

It still is. 

[Rocking-M]

I prefer Stihl chainsaws for tree work.

[Rushoid]

Thanks all, by the way it is my daughter's tree (and son/culprit  ) they live in Columbus.

I hope (for your sake) that's Columbus, Michigan, and not Ohio! 

[Bob Wessner]

Thanks all, by the way it is my daughter's tree (and son/culprit  ) they live in Columbus.

I hope (for your sake) that's Columbus, Michigan, and not Ohio! 

Sadly, no, Columbus, Ohio. It's killing my daughter, a dyed in the wool U of M fan. She was born in the old St. Joe hospital here in AA which is now the U of M School of Nursing.

[Rushoid]

Ha ha! I bet it is killing her!

On a side note, I was in Michigan City, IN, last week. As a Buckeye fan I was reluctant to cross the border, but Michigan was one of the few states I haven't been to. So I drove up the road to New Buffalo, MI. Nice area. I was surprised I didn't burst into flames!

[Bob Wessner]

Ha ha! I bet it is killing her!

On a side note, I was in Michigan City, IN, last week. As a Buckeye fan I was reluctant to cross the border, but Michigan was one of the few states I haven't been to. So I drove up the road to New Buffalo, MI. Nice area. I was surprised I didn't burst into flames!

Obviously one of our Maize and Blue clad boarder guards was asleep at the switch, or just asleep. We will have to look into that. Thanks for bringing this laxity to our attention. 

[grumpy]

Shellac works well.
The carrier/solvent is alcohol which sterilizes the wound.
The lac itself is thin enough so as not to suffocate the area but still protects it.