Mike Lyle writes

Flower Bobdew wrote:
[...]
The only time to really avoid pruning them is when the sap is rising,
particularly early spring, as they bleed quite heavily. However, I
even have a tip for that... Should you accidentally damage a tree [as
I did my Acer with a careless swinging spade. D'uh!] or notice
bleeding from recently pruned joints, apply some garden soil directly
to the wound. Apparently, the bacteria present in the soil will help
the healing process.

Interesting: does it work? My instinct would be for a quick blast
with a blow-torch.

Well, being fairly new to gardening I can't quite claim it's a
'personal' tried and tested method over an extended period... But, I've
applied this technique on both the aforementioned Acer, a clumsily
pruned Pyracantha and a stray football blasted Caryopteris - both the
latter plants, in particular, sustaining quite significant bleeding
cuts/damage toward the base of the plant. Bleeding stopped noticeably
quickly in all cases, and all plants remain in rude health.

In fact... The Caryopteris almost became a test case for plant recovery,
for me. The football ripped right through one side taking out one of
only two main stems, tearing the bark for a few inches, too, right down
at soil level. Aside from appearing distinctly wonky - and it may well
come out now for that reason alone - it otherwise recovered well and
produced a fine colourful display which is still lingering as I write.

--
Flower Bobdew
South Facing Garden
South West: UK