wounded tree Help!

[animartco]

I am looking or advice on how to treat a ragged gaping wound on my Monterey Pine caused by the largest branch breaking off with the weight of snow. What is the best wound paint to use? And should I shore up the hole in the trunk which is six or even inches deep with anything? Putty a good idea?
Any advice would be appreciated.

[Littlesparrow]

Do you need to paint it? could you saw it off neatly against the trunk and let the sap form over the wound.
Last year a Porsche skidded into our cherry tree and scarred the trunk badly, we trimmed it up and left it, it oozed lots of sap, but is fine now.

[Dorts]

I, like most fellow arboriculturalist's, always painted a wound, or cut, with an anti-fungal paint. But more recent research has shown that it is best, after tidying up the wound, to leave the tree to take care of itself.
Paint of any sort traps moisture, which is an ideal environment for fungal diseases to take hold.
I think this is probably good advice to follow.
Dorts.

[animartco]

Thank you Dorts. The main problem is that the wound is very deep, right into the heart of the trunk. The branch was a third of the thickness of the trunk!

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by animartco

Thank you Dorts. The main problem is that the wound is very deep, right into the heart of the trunk. The branch was a third of the thickness of the trunk!

At least it will make a natural nesting hole come spring..

[Dorts]

Originally Posted by animartco

Thank you Dorts. The main problem is that the wound is very deep, right into the heart of the trunk. The branch was a third of the thickness of the trunk!

The biggest problem will be if it has weakened the main trunk. I would be inclined not to let the top get to large, a bit of carefull pruning now and again to stop strong winds having too great an effect.
It will in time callus around the wound which will put back some of the strength in the trunk.
If the hole is likely to fill with water, you could drill a drain hole from beneath and insert a piece of hosepipe, it will help stop the hole blocking up .
Years ago we would pour conctete into a large hole! How times have changed.
Dorts.

[treewee]

I wouldn't even bother trying to keep the wound drained. You're introducing another point of entry for spores. Hopefully the tree will compartmentalize the wound successfully.

Any pics showing the extent of the wound?

[animartco]

Originally Posted by treewee

I wouldn't even bother trying to keep the wound drained. You're introducing another point of entry for spores. Hopefully the tree will compartmentalize the wound successfully.

Any pics showing the extent of the wound?

I took some today (first sunlight) but I am a hopeless muggle and have to wait for someone to put them on the computer

[Besnard Lake]

Animartico,

As Dorts says, wound paint isn't used anymore for the reasons he stated. If the hole fills with water, there's no need to drain it. Water creates an anaerobic environment which fungi cannot colonise. Pine trees do not lend themselves to crown pruning very well.

Are there any targets (structures, people, vehicles) that may be damaged if the tree fails? If not, then why not leave it alone? Please be mindful of the Occupiers Liability Act 1981 though.

The best advice would be to get an independent arboriculturalist (not a tree surgeon who may have the follow on work in mind!) to assess the condition of the tree and put it in a report. Ensure the arboricularist has professional indemnity insurance and check their qualifications. If they're chartered (MICfor) that will show you thay are suitably experienced although there are other letters that will show competence Tech cert arbor A or equivalent being perhaps the minimum. You duty of care would then be satisfied.

You should be paying in the region of £250 for a condition report with work recommendations and estimated costs of work.

All the best

Besnard

[Dorts]

I must confess that I had forgotten that it was a Monteray Pine. So my pruning advice, as Bernard has said, is not appropriate.
Dorts.