Its not a tree though Travis is it ?
Its Bamboo with a limited life for each shoot.
The difference is that the tree has a cambium layer that must grow over
the area where the branch has been removed. Furthermore the whole tree
can be compromised by rot induced by a poorly closed pruning cut,
while with bamboo its just that time limited shoot.
Given that bamboo is a form of grass with no ability to close a hole in
one of its shoots, unlike a tree, what harm is there in sealing a hole?
If its a really attractive shoot and "ems" wants to keep it then why
not?
I think it would be interesting to try epoxy adhesive into a the base
of a split, mature and dry culm, under these circumstances. To give it
structural strength during the few years of this individual shoot life.
Its *only* a bamboo culm after all.
Why you would want *experience* for something so inconsequential
puzzles me.
Bamboo survives being hacked apart by axes and sharp spades in
transplanting.
Common sense says a bit of sealer into a hole in one culm is of no
consequence whatsoever.