How do you protect a tree trunk when a main branch breaks off?

Question

A huge branch broke off my Satsuma plum tree and now there is a big gaping wound in the trunk. Should I wrap it with something to protect it from insects?

Answer 1

I think that there is some kind of clay like stuff that you can get from a local florist or greenhouse that you plaster into the wound and then wrap the trunk with some type of canvas that you can get t here too.  I think they call the clay stuff... wound seel or something like that.  Otherwise you can just paint the wound over with some cheap left over paint I think.  I don't know how much good that does but you could try it if you don't have the $$ for the clay stuff.  I don't think you can paint it and then come back later and put the clay stuff on... you have to do one or the other.  Good luck on your poor tree.

Crone.

Answer 2

there is a spray paint and/or a canned paint you can buy to seal it. or, if you have any parrafin wax, melt some & brush it on.

Answer 3

i used a pruning compound. its like a thick black substance that will cover the wound while the tree naturally heals around it. then i did  a loose wrap, with a tree wrap, to prevent further damage. I had dogs that  constantly tore my lower branches off. the compound works well. the tree will heal.

Answer 4

you can go to a store such as lowes etc they have those wrap things they put around the trunks of trees..i see them on the pecan trees around me all the time...they look like they are some sort of plastic and they are held there by what looks like wire or twine

Answer 5

Sealer. I've used tar, paint, and wax. It will heal itself slowly. You just need to protect it for awhile.

Answer 6

here is what Mizzou says. I agree. You can go to Home Depot and buy some of that fake bark stuff if you like, but that is mostly for aesthetics.

http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/ag...

Answer 7

Oh no, your poor tree!

You may call me a sap (pun intended) but I absolutely adore trees and some of my best friends in the world are trees. Just like with a person or with a pet, I would call a "doctor" for trees. You may be able to find one just by looking in the yellow pages, but I'm pretty sure that there are companies that specialize in caring for damaged or diseased trees.

I know my grandpa always sprayed this black tarry looking stuff on his trees when he would cut off a limb, however, losing a main branch is quite an injury, and I would suggest getting advice from a professional in the field of tree care. I sure hope your tree makes it O.K. through this. Good luck!

Vitamin

Edit:

Lady M,

I know what 8 Track said, but I sure hope you don't kill your tree just because it has an injury. How much larger can its roots get if it only has a few more years anyway? You of course have to do what is best for you and your tree, but please don't euthanize it unless you feel it has no hope of making it. Trees are precious beings that give so much to us all, and I get upset when I hear people talking about trees as if they are “things” instead of significant life forms. I guess I’m just a hopeless tree hugger!