Tree trunk injury - Ask Extension
My Oklahoma Redbud tree has a bad area on its trunk. Is there any thing I can do for it? It happened after a hard winter. It is planted in an area tha...
Knowledgebase
Tree trunk injury #879382
Asked July 30, 2024, 10:23 AM EDT
My Oklahoma Redbud tree has a bad area on its trunk. Is there any thing I can do for it? It happened after a hard winter. It is planted in an area that gets heavy winds in the winter.
Thank you.
Jackson County Oregon
Expert Response
Here are some tips for patching a wound on a redbud tree trunk:
- Remove damaged bark: Use a sharp knife or wood file to carefully remove loose or dead bark around the wound, leaving healthy bark that's tight against the wood. You can also try "scribing" the wound in the shape of a vertical ellipse to reduce rot and encourage callus formation.
- Let the tree heal: A healthy tree should be able to seal over the wound on its own. You can monitor the wound as the tree grows each year to see it closes from the edges.
- Avoid wound paints and sealants: You don't need to apply tree paint or other wound dressings to the wound
