Just realized I'm in the minority on pruning paint after a job last month

I know everyone says skip the pruning paint on cuts, but I had this client in Boise with a massive old oak that had a 10 inch limb taken off. I went ahead and used the lead-based paint stuff on it because the tree was already stressed from drought, and six weeks later that cut is healing cleaner than any unpainted one I've done this year. I get that it's not the standard advice anymore, but has anyone else had luck with paint on really big, tricky wounds in specific cases?

3 comments

3 Comments

chen.jade2d ago

Funny you mention it, I've got a client with a big old maple that had a similar situation. Ate a big limb in a storm and the wound was about 8 inches across. Against my better judgment I used a bit of latex paint on it just to keep the sun off the cambium. Three years later and it's one of the best healing cuts I've seen on that tree. The unpainted cuts nearby had more checking and sun scald. I think there's a time and a place for it, especially on big wounds where the tree is already having a rough year. Your mileage may vary, but I'd rather try it and be wrong on a stressed tree than just follow the rules.

dakota_fox2d ago

Honestly never thought about the sun scald angle on big wounds like that. Everyone gets so hung up on the decay risk they forget that sometimes the biggest problem is the bark getting cooked before it can callus over. I've seen it on south facing cuts on oaks here in zone 6 where the cambium just gets torched in July and never stands a chance. The paint might not be ideal but if it buys the tree enough time to seal that wound it's probably better than leaving it wide open to sun damage. Tbh I think the whole "never paint a cut" rule gets treated like gospel when it should really be more of a guideline for specific situations.

richard_west52d ago

Hate to nitpick but latex paint still traps moisture in the wood...