Advice, how to manage hole/dead wood

GilaMonster

GilaMonster

Well-known member
Judt got this yellow lebanese, was planning to container grow, fig has a V shape, on this half you can see where it was trimmed previously and thr wood has decayed, will this cause the tree to rot? Should I cut everything off from the point just below that hole? Should I fill it in with something?

Thanks for advice everyone :)
20250315_095222.jpg
 
I really don't like the look of this half so I will cut if that's a viable option.

If I take it down to the bottom of the v (is that the "cuff"?) And cut at an angle that should be ok?


I'll try potting the cutting as well why not
 
Yes I would cut at an angle, and apply a wound sealer to the cut.
I would make the cut with a bit of trunk left though...no cut on the joint/node.
 
I'm not sure if it works on fig tree's but what I've done to some of my tree's that have sustained some form of damage is shave it down to good "wood" and let the healing process begin. I use a very sharp knife, and take little by little until I get the result I'm looking for--I'm sure there's technical terms to use and a better way of saying it.
 
I was wondering the same thing, so thanks for posting your question. I was going to try taking a metal file and filing down the dead spot to get it as smooth as possible and then apply some prune sealer or wood glue to protect against boring beetles. Good approach?
 
The Greek said:
I was wondering the same thing, so thanks for posting your question. I was going to try taking a metal file and filing down the dead spot to get it as smooth as possible and then apply some prune sealer or wood glue to protect against boring beetles. Good approach?
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I would seal it for sure. The wood glue does not look as bad as the sealer.
So I would use that. I used spray can flex seal on a few of mine.
But that is all I had at the time. Not pretty. But does the job.
 
The Greek said:
I was wondering the same thing, so thanks for posting your question. I was going to try taking a metal file and filing down the dead spot to get it as smooth as possible and then apply some prune sealer or wood glue to protect against boring beetles. Good approach?
Click to expand...
I’ve also always wondered about using a sealer, I was told to let the tree heal naturally. In our area, we’re losing a lot of different tree’s—I’ve lost a few and all of the Blue Spruces are dying in our area. I cannot remember who told me, it was someone who works with tree’s, he said sometimes due to age or certain changes we lose tree’s no matter what precautions we take. He also said, tree’s can be resilient and you’d be surprised how well they can fight and heal themselves if given time.

I’m not opposed to trying a sealer, just haven’t done it.
 
rayray said:
I'm not sure if it works on fig tree's but what I've done to some of my tree's that have sustained some form of damage is shave it down to good "wood" and let the healing process begin. I use a very sharp knife, and take little by little until I get the result I'm looking for--I'm sure there's technical terms to use and a better way of saying it.
Click to expand...
Agree with this statement - I think the term you’re looking for is tree compartmentalization. Similar to the pictures in your other comment, I used a knife to create a clean edge around wound of a damaged Maple Tree years ago and now callus tissue is sealing the wound.

IMG_2126.jpeg
 
bushdoctor82 said:
Agree with this statement - I think the term you’re looking for is tree compartmentalization. Similar to the pictures in your other comment, I used a knife to create a clean edge around wound of a damaged Maple Tree years ago and now callus tissue is sealing the wound.

View attachment 4955
Click to expand...
That’s it! Compartmentalization! Because, technically a tree doesn’t grow new bark, it grows around the “wound” in the process healing itself. I remember now, the guy told me a tree doesn’t heal like a regular animal, he said you clean the wound and then let the tree heal itself, no need to put a bandaid on it like a human. Because that bandaid might trap or collect moisture doing more harm down the road.

With all of this, we’re assuming the tree is mostly healthy, cause if it’s not healthy this or using a sealer will not help.

I always try to go the most organic path as possible—I’m a little sheepish about certain things cause I had cancer at age 36. I also use to weed and feed my grass and one of my dogs ended dying of horrible cancer—so my grass looks like doodoo but I feel much better : )
 
Been championing ASPHALT EMULSION as a tree sealer /prunning and grafting sealer for years ,water soluable,till air dry then water prof. used to seal asphalt roads and sold at home depot as henrys roof sealer . i paint every cut i make on my fig trees,from 1/4 " to 6"++ .saves tree energy = moisture .i can tell if any ones been taking unathorized cuttings by white /tan wood scar . been used in calif.commercial orchards for years ,stops the die back you have in your photo !!!
 
GilaMonster said:
Judt got this yellow lebanese, was planning to container grow, fig has a V shape, on this half you can see where it was trimmed previously and thr wood has decayed, will this cause the tree to rot? Should I cut everything off from the point just below that hole? Should I fill it in with something?

Thanks for advice everyone :)
Click to expand...


Option: You could set a layer here than when it's ready just cut below. This way you get a free tree and can start pruning from scratch

tree.jpg
 
rayray said:
I’ve also always wondered about using a sealer, I was told to let the tree heal naturally. In our area, we’re losing a lot of different tree’s—I’ve lost a few and all of the Blue Spruces are dying in our area. I cannot remember who told me, it was someone who works with tree’s, he said sometimes due to age or certain changes we lose tree’s no matter what precautions we take. He also said, tree’s can be resilient and you’d be surprised how well they can fight and heal themselves if given time.

I’m not opposed to trying a sealer, just haven’t done it.
Click to expand...

I use pruning paint or some sort of sealer like wood glue etc all the time. Not because the tree can't heal itself, but more because the wound is an invitation and an entry point for pests.
 
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