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[david liezen <chandos49@hotmail.com>]

When I lived in Tacoma decades ago I encountered a number of highly regarded groundskeepers of Japanese descent who spray painted the cut after pruning. I know there are folks who will decry this method, recommending latex paint, Tree-Heal, or leaving it bare altogether. I didn't know any better and have spray-painted cuts of any size over 1/4 inch ever since. Taking care to cut along/by the growth ridge, the trees have healed quickly and I have yet to observe evidence of disease or grubs finding entry.
I use brown or gray paint on cuts, and white up and down the sunny side of saplings to thwart sunscald (temps can drop to -10F here).
If you contemplate major pruning, it may be best to wait until early next year. More of the strength of the tree will be stored in the roots for repair and growth, as well as lessening the potential for infection.
Dave Liezen, Spokane z6

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Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 08:46:49 -0500
From: billg@inebraska.com
To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Summer pruning

13292.a21a807.39a92fcd@aol.com">Even when the wound has dried up it can catch fungal spores and hold them until wet periods like in spring. Prunus is especially bad for fungus in the wood.

OK, but in that case, wouldn't I be better off pruning now, rather than waiting for dormant pruning? After all, in either case, the wound won't be healed by spring. But it might be a LITTLE further along if I prune now.

One way or another, I HAVE to prune these trees, either now or later.

Note that it's almost September, and I still haven't pruned these last few trees, so I don't know if I'll get to it, anyway. Frankly, just picking everything is taking all my time. But that's not a bad problem to have, I suppose. :-)

Thanks!

Bill
Lincoln, NE (zone 5)

http://garthright.blogspot.com/

--
It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it. - Upton Sinclair

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