rot prevention on weeping willow

[boynature]

I recently worked on a weeping willow that lost part of it's top in a storm. Its about a 20-22 inch limb, I cut the break off flush and on an angle so water would run off. Is there anything else that can be done to protect a wound of this size that will obviously never heal.....sheet metal, paint, wax, an umbrella? thanks for your help.

Enjoy
boynature

 

[SilentElk]

Bullhide bedliner

Actually, I have no idea but sounds like a good cover.

 

[Dadatwins]

Anything you put on it will only make the wound worse. Best to let the tree cover itself up with new growth. Willow grows very fast, but they also decay quickly, so the race is on.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Willow grows very fast, but they also decay quickly, so the race is on.

There is no way to reduce the risk here, I always tell the the client that the tree has become an eventual removal. The wound, and subsequent cavity will need regular inspection. Maybe every 3 years at first, becoming more frequent as the decay progresses.

If the tree is 60 inch dia. at the wounds site, then the wound is 33% trunk. Not good from a strength loss when decay sets in.

I have a clump of willow where I've been doing a days work a year. Their budget depends on how many people I bring in to drag stuff out of the back yard.

So you could propose partial removals on a schedule untill the tree is down.

 

[treeseer]

There is no way to reduce the risk here, I always tell the the client that the tree has become an eventual removal. .

With a cut that big, what is the harm of experimenting with a sealant?

 

[dakota]

With a cut that big, what is the harm of experimenting with a sealant?

A false sense of security plus sending a message to passersby (who don't know about your experiment) that sealant should be used all the time.

Or maybe you could put up a sign describing the experiment. I'm all for experimenting, but I think it should on your own property and usually with the blinds closed. :hmm3grin2orange: