Hiya,
Ive some managed to damage some bark on a thickish branch of a pear tree, whats the best way to make sure it doesnt get infected or damaged more, ive heard u can use some tape to wrap round it?
I smear vaseline onto wounds like that. Seems to work.
thanks i was told about denso type, if i dont apply something to the wound will the tree get damaged/infected
Denso tape is used in the building trade, don't know a great deal about it's properties now - except that it is waterproof. There may even be different grades of the stuff nowadays.
I believe that originally it was almost like cloth bandage, impregnated with something very much like Vaseline. Hence the use of simple vaseline to act as a barrier for fungal infections. Eventually the wound will callus over.
I shall use some vasaline, how long do these wounds take to calous over?
To stop infection - apply a paste of Bordaux mixture
Think of it as a cut to you - the advice used to be to cover it with vaseline - now it is let the air get to it. This is the same logic that is applied to trees these days. If it is a big break, I would tidy it up and apply the bordeaux mixture . let it dry and cove it with grafting wax or a propriotory wound sealer.
The issue with just applying vaseline over the cut is that you could be trapping some fungii under the vaseline and thus create a problem. If is not like a cut you have just made and going to seal immediately like you would when grafting.
Clifford
Doesn't grafting wax, or wound sealer, prevent air getting to the wound cliff?
The advice taught to me was that the tree will callus fairly quickly if the wound takes place just before the tree emerges from dormancy, and that a lightweight covering won't impede the natural healing process.
Hear where you are coming from -grafting wax or vaseline will keep the air out as they are oil based. Some of the wound paints are anti fungal pastes so are not water/air tight barriers
Think about a graft - your two pieces of wood are both raw cuts (especially if a whip and tongue style) yet will see a calus forming in 6-8 weeks. Emergent shoots will break through the grafting wax. The wax will remain watertight until bud breaks occur.
The issue for me in protecting a wound is one of severity of damage, if its minor, just apply the bordeaux mixture as an anti fungal and let the air heal as you suggest. If it is a more sever cut / damage then combine intervention with a sealant will, for me, be of benifit.
To some extent I am sitting on the fence, riding two horses, the new school of though - allow air to heal - applying this logic on minor cuts, but for larger damage I don't want to risk it - so follow the advise that has been practised for over 100yrs without detriment.
My gut feel is if I have a big cut cover it - to keep the infection out. Which is likely to do the greater damage - a slow heal or infection getting in?
When infection sets in - which happens frequently and with pear at this time of year there is the risk of silver leaf, then I could cover. Especially as dormancy has already been broken at this time of year - the majority of my frut trees are showing buds swelling or breaking.
Hope this paints the picture from where I am coming from.
Clifford
Thanks cliff :)