Pruning cuts

[wooduck]

Who here uses any form of pruning sealants on larger cuts and if you do or dont what has been your experience ,, cut heal well ? black discharge over time that spreads ect .. i know the big guys say not needed but it seems to be a problem here and leads to problems , We are sealing our bigger cuts to see if it helps . Thoughts?

 

[Telemark]

I don't, but if I needed to I would try pine tar.

 

[Ben.MN/WI]

What are you pruning?

I've never used any pruning sealants as trees seem to heal fine on their own even with massive wounds.

 

[Diesel5610]

What are you pruning?

I've never used any pruning sealants as trees seem to heal fine on their own even with massive wounds.

This has been my practice and experience the last 20 years.

 

[TonySoprano]

I usually don't use anything. I pruned a pear tree in the front yard last month from 3 leaders down to one.
I probably should have done it when the tree was younger , but it's only been in the ground two year and the limbs are as big around as my thumb. After I did it Heard it was supposed to ran the next day...They say not to prune if it's going to rain, it can spread disease. I covered the cut parts over with water proof wood glue. Not sure if that's good or bad , but it's all I had.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I've used a product called "Tree-Kote" on some big branches pruned from our pin oak. Those wounds healed up so well it's hard to see where the branches were pruned off. "Tree-Kote" is a black, tarry kind of sealer. On our oldest Profusion crab apple tree, I did not use Tree-Kote sealer on those big, pruned limb collars. They haven't healed over after 15 years. Pin oak limbs pruned off in the last 5 years are almost completely healed with Tree-Kote brushed on those limb collars. Just my own, 2-tree variety experience.

 

[bigboreblr]

Only time I do that is older trees Want to keep dead wood dry or keep insects from attacking that spot. I use doc farrells heal n seal, has permetherin in it, insecticide. I also use it to seal scions before shipment or storage.

I have used it on young trees as a comparison. Both seem fine with or without. heal n seal is basically leatex paint.

What is supposed ot hapen is the tree's cambium layer is supposed to grow over the wound. Putting some compounds on it is going to hinder or stop that. Thats why i use it on old trees, i know the ftree isn't healthy enough to close up this gap.

Th black sap pouring out might be from pruning too close to spring maybe? I get that with mulberry trees If I prune before december or after mid febuary. Bascially during maple sap season.

 

[Teeder]

I've used a product called "Tree-Kote" on some big branches pruned from our pin oak. Those wounds healed up so well it's hard to see where the branches were pruned off. "Tree-Kote" is a black, tarry kind of sealer. On our oldest Profusion crab apple tree, I did not use Tree-Kote sealer on those big, pruned limb collars. They haven't healed over after 15 years. Pin oak limbs pruned off in the last 5 years are almost completely healed with Tree-Kote brushed on those limb collars. Just my own, 2-tree variety experience.

That's what I've used. Usually on damaged trees. Works well.

 

[Ruffdude]

Interior latex paint can also be used.
It won’t last but it will offer protection early while the large cut is fresh and can give the tree a head start on healing. The interior paint won’t last much past 4 seasons before it peels off.

 

[356]

I am heading out to prune the apples and pears today....should have been out before, but I'm still in the pruning "window" here in NW Missouri. I do not use any sealants. My wife and I attended a pruning workshop presented by a local arborist, and he strongly advocated not using sealants. He did advocate cleaning pruning blades/shears between trees with alcohol.

 

[356]

I am heading out to prune the apples and pears today....should have been out before, but I'm still in the pruning "window" here in NW Missouri.

I had one apple that was already starting to green. I got the other pruned, but wow, that was a surprise. In previous years early April was the greening time.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I had one apple that was already starting to green. I got the other pruned, but wow, that was a surprise. In previous years early April was the greening time.

Temps are way above average in many parts of the country. May be an early green-up factor.

 

[bigboreblr]

Temps are way above average in many parts of the country. May be an early green-up factor.

Left 2 or 3 trees with some branches for scion fresh from the vine. Thinking I am going to cut them tonight or tomorrow. Actually I think I got 4. 30-06, crossbow, chestnut, and kerr. Mehrbyan nursery rootstocks should be in week of march 23rd.