Garden

[pattypeep]

When pruning things with fairly large branches I have always used that black stuff to spray on the open cut. Now I have read that that's not a good idea. Remember Ed Hume? I was glued to his shows in the 70's. He used to say that if a branch is larger than our thumb, to spray the end cut. Any ideas?

[fthunt]

Heard something years ago from a Cornell Univ associate - he said - when a branch falls off a tree in the forest - is there anybody there with a bucket & a brush to paint over the break?   But yet.............the trees survive. (Amen)

[Buck-i-Nana]

As long as your cut is clean and slanted properly so that water cannot pool on it, you shouldn't cover it with anything.  If it's allowing water to pool, then painting it with sealant would provide a temporary protection until it can be properly cut.

[JustJazzmom]

That black stuff (tree wound paint) was used in the '60's! It's a type of tar. Not needed for sealing tree branch wounds. Trees will seal themselves over time with that donut hole look!

Trees will heal faster (wound closure or compartmentalization) prior to the onset of growth in the spring before bud break or just after maximum leaf expansion in June (our area of US). Pruning of 'bleeder' trees such as maple, dogwood & birch in spring should not affect the health of the tree.

Taken from this fact sheet: 

http://ccenassau.org/resources/pruning-trees-shrubs-and-vines