Kitsune: I think we are comparing apples and oranges here. Based
upon solid botanical research on trees, Alex Shigo, in his
seminal book, A New Tree Biology, has educated about the
compartmentalization process trees go through when properly
pruned by respecting their "branch collars". Shigo has shown that
the application of paint and other tree "sealers" does more harm
than good by disrupting the compartmentalization process
necessary for a tree to maintain a healthy immune system and by,
often as not, trapping destructive organisms behind the sealer
and making it harder to discover and treat their presence.
With bonsai we are dealing with much smaller cuts. But
more important than this, we are talking about a true sealer
which has penetrating qualities to preserve already dead wood.
This is not treating a wound, per se, except in the broadest
definition of the term. For this reason, I believe the practice
of applying a penetrating marine grade sealer, such as GitRot or
MinWax Wood Hardener, is a safe and acceptable practice.

Alan Walker
http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org

--- Jim Lewis wrote:
While I have a hard time believing that any antifungal agent
(including lime sulfur) applied to dead wood on a bonsai will
maintain antifungal properties for more than a few hours, or will
affect the fungi that MAY attack the wood in any event, the
varnish, or lacquer, or polyethylene, or wood hardener, will
offer considerable protection because they seal the wood away
from nasty thingies.

-----Original Message-----
From: Kitsune Miko

Interestingly enough big tree people (arborists) will not seal
dead wood because of locking in nasty thingies.
Kitsune Miko

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