Q.
I have a large pine tree in my front yard. I trimmed this tree in the past and
had buckets and buckets of sap coming from large limbs that were cut. I may
need to prune heavily again this winter. But since I just completed relandscaping
under it, I’m worried about all the sap that is going to fall on everything I
just put down. I’ll never get off all the sap that will drip on everything!! Is
there a way I might prevent or stop the sap from dripping such as pruning paint?
Is there anything to save all my hard work from being completely being
encapsulated in sap?
A.
Pruning paint might help in this case and may be worth a shot. Most people in
the know no longer recommend pruning paints to cover wounds on trees. They just
sanitize it and let it air dry.
paint is because research has found pruning paints to be primarily cosmetic and
do not assist the tree in healing. Healing is best if the wound is left alone without
the use of paints.
.JPG) |
| Topworking an apple tree to a new variety using pruning sealer and nursery tape to seal in moisture until healing is underway. |
the idea pruning paints may actually cause some harm to an open wound. But
pruning paint will not kill a tree or severely weaken a tree. Compounds similar
to pruning paints are still used in propagation of trees such as grafting and
topworking.
ahead and try it since the benefits will probably outweigh any negatives to the
tree.