PSA: Stop using wound dressing on pruning cuts, heres why I changed my mind

I been an arborist for about 8 years now and I always used wound paint on big oak cuts. But after a storm last spring I had to take down a tree that had a 3 year old treated cut and the rot was way worse inside than the bare cuts nearby. Now I see the research says these dressings actually trap moisture and decay fungi. Anyone else stop using this stuff or do you still swear by it for certain species?

2 comments

2 Comments

rosel837d ago

Cut and seal cherry and birch only, then watch the callus fail every time.

jana_price7d ago

The trick with cherry and birch is you gotta cut at the right time (late winter before the sap really starts moving) and seal with something that actually sticks. I stopped using regular pruning paint years ago, switched to a proper tree wound dressing that flexes with the bark. The callus always fails on cherry for me if I cut too deep into the collar, so I leave a little nub now. Birch is even worse, it bleeds like crazy if you don't seal it within a few minutes of the cut. I've had the best luck with a clean, sharp saw and a thick coat of shellac-based sealer, no kidding.