Billy wrote:
In article ,
Bill who putters wrote:
I'll cut the trunks off at an angle, so that rain runs off, and
coat the cuts with this special sealer from the garden centre.
Bad idea.
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/art...-garden-expert
s-about-pruning-trees
Painting pruning wounds
Should I paint the pruning wounds on my trees?
Do not apply a pruning paint or wound dressing to pruning wounds. The
application of a pruning paint or wound dressing does not prevent wood
decay and may actually interfere with the treešs natural wound
responses. Oak trees are an exception to the no paint recommendation.
To prevent the transmission of oak wilt, oak trees should not be
pruned in spring and summer. If an oak tree needs to be pruned during
the growing season, for example to correct storm damage, immediately
(within 15 minutes) paint the pruning cuts with a latex house paint.
Winter (December, January and February) is the best time to prune oak
trees in Iowa. There is no need to paint the pruning wounds when oaks
are pruned in winter.
--
cheapo
Is there a difference depending on what you paint with? There are
preparations around that are supposed to seal the wound, these are out of
fashion with horticulturists as they say such sealant just locks the fungi
and spores inside and ultimately don't do much good. But what about a
fungicide that doesn't seal, eg bordeaux mix? The aim there is to reduce
the chance of infection by reducing the count of spores etc. Does that sort
of treatment qualify as "painting'?
David
Didn't think of grafting but that is a good option. Here is some
info you may not have found as yet:
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/.../grafting.html
do watch cutting branches back properly to get a good wound seal. It
is more than just a quick cut and some wax.
Plum branches make wonderful forced flowers for a early taste of
spring.
http://thurly.net/10u3