Gardening Questions Healing tree wounds
Healing tree wounds
Asked on 12 Jul, 2008
This question is on Euonymus europaeus
A friend of mine is growing Spindle as a small tree (Euonymus europeaus) - she had it staked, but now the bark has been damaged and there is a wound through the sap to the inner "trunk" - is there a good way to treat this to heal the wound and prevent infection? I've heard people talking about painting such things and I am even sure I have heard of people binding moss to them, but then I know some people say the best thing is to just leave it open to the air and let the wound scab over naturally. Any advice would be appreciated.
Joined 4 Aug, 2007
West Midlands
13 Jul, 2008
To a large extent it depends on where you live. In a polluted suburban atmosphere, you could get away with leaving the wound to self heal. There are fewer pathogens floating around in the air. In a rural setting you may well be better protecting the wound in someway. Look around the garden, if the roses get black spot and mildew or other plants suffer in this way then you have clean air.
Choices are Arbex Wound Paint (a kind of liquid wax) or candle wax from beeswax candles, or as you say a wad of moss. The choice really is up to the owner. Personally I would say, that if the wound is large in comparison to the stem then protect it, otherwise leave it alone.