Cut wounds should they be treated.
schrader@beaches.net
Sun, 20 Oct 1996 04:59:19 -0500
Hello!
I'm so happy to be on line. If I had only known what I was missing I would have got on
sooner. Much sooner. I do hope you will forgive my enthusiasm as I live in a small city and
am delighted to hear professional objective conversation about trees.
Please do drop me a line and introduce yourself. I would like that a lot. I haven't received
any E-MAIL yet. I'm beginning to think the in box must be broken or something as I am so
sad to see it always empty.
In as much as I believe I have a good grasp of the fundamentals in Arboriculture but still
have as always some nagging notions that trouble me. I hope you will consider commenting
on them. I welcome both support and criticism .
I painted cuts 15 years ago and on demand will paint cuts today if a client insists. I know
that trees don't repair damaged cells and that studies show little to no benefit that in fact
painting cuts is much more likely to contribute to the increase in decay than ever stop it. I
also know that the most important aspect about cuts is that it be made proper and
respective to compartmentalizing boundaries. However that when professional pruning
paint containing the agents of insecticides, fungicides, and cambial growth encourageants
is applied properly not thickly as a band-aid but sparingly for the benefit of the agents
being used. Does this not represent a positive action on behalf of the tree. Or do the
complications of errors erupting from MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO WRONG negate
the negligible benefits of treating wounds. It seems one can be right but still be wrong.
Perhaps the real problem is the HIGH VISIBILITY of the treatment being rendered.
WHAT THE MONKEY DOESN'T SEE THE MONKEY WON'T DO WRONG.
Even after having said all this I dread personally the idea of treating cuts again. I
can remember some extremely difficult positions that a climber must achieve in order to
carry them out. Its exhausting work but could relish the thought that if the treatment were
clear the foreman wouldn't be able to send one back up the tree because of an over looked
shiner. When painting cuts a missed cut would stand out as if it were shining.
OK! all right! Its mostly old stuff but I thought the Visibility thing was an important point.
And besides I needed to lead you up to this next point
I am still hoping to spur a comment on the use of bleach as a treatment for wounds.
I know its a different approach to be sure. To actually destroy the food value of the
damaged cells so that the invading pathogens are starved to death before they can do their
thing. Seems there is all kinds of room for comments here.
What are your concerns with this approach for treating wounds?
George
Certified Arborist So-0448 desire opportunity to work for company or community. Would
prefer Florida or deep southern states.
20 years exp. 8 in St. Louis, Mo. - 6 Miami, Fl. - 6 Panama City, Fl. All as Owner
Can consult on pruning, removals, hazard and landscape loss evaluations. Have
successfully moved 30"dbh trees. Will sell, work in the field, or teach. Formed and am
presently President of Bay Co. chapter of Florida Arborist Assoc. Will perform
presentations to organizations. Slides and demonstrations.
Want good wages and benefits. GUARANTEED to save community a minimum of twice
my costs.
George Schrader
"AMERICAN TREE EXPERTS
1309 West 10th Street
Panama City, Fl. 32401-1901
Office - Home 904 769 4060
Pager - 1 800 849 6162
Portable 904 832 0274