How to keep a pine tree alive

[Andrew Falanga]

Hi,

I have a fledgling pine in my yard that I got to close to with my weed- eater. I accidentally ripped some of the bark off at the ground level. This tree ~6' tall, perhaps 6' 6" (I say fledgling because I'm pretty sure it's a ponderosa). What techniques can be used to ensure the tree doesn't die. Where I live in Idaho, I don't have many trees in my yard and I don't want to loose this one.

Thanks for any suggestions, Andy

[Bill Rose]

The bark is no big deal but the next layer in is the living part of the tree. Get some tree sealer, as you would for major pruning, and put on damaged area.

- Bill Coloribus gustibus non disputatum (mostly)

[Kay Lancaster]

Ah, I know this as "lawnmower blight".

This tree ~6' tall, perhaps 6' 6" (I say fledgling because I'm

Go take a good look at the damage... are you through the thin cambium layer under the bark? If you're not through the cambium and it's a small wound not involving much of a circumference of the tree, I'd leave it alone. If it's very large or through the cambium, might be a job for bridge grafts:

either case, get some mulch around that tree so you don't go near it again with that weedwhacker, and make especially sure it goes into the winter deeply watered.

Kay

[Bill Rose]

You heard the lady. Follow her suggestions and you might walk away unscathed.

- Bill Coloribus gustibus non disputatum (mostly)

[Treelady]

Best not to seal it with anything. Sealants can invite more trouble than help. Do as Kay says.

[Andrew Falanga]

grafts:

> In either case, get some mulch around that tree so you don't go

Thanks to all for the suggestions. I wished I'd read this thread before purchasing and applying the tree sealer. Oh well, we'll see how it goes. Thanks again.

Andy

[Kay Lancaster]

If you like belt and suspenders, early next spring you can still bridgegraft over the cut. But do be careful to water this summer and fall and please get that mulch on. And around other trees you may have, too. Makes a big difference in the amount of lawnmower blight you see.... ;-)

Kay

[symplastless]

Mulch instructions "SUGGESTIONS"

proper Mulching -

and

Look up "Mulch"

[Bill Rose]

Feeling guilty for suggesting the tree sealer. But doesn't exposing the heart wood of a tree open it up to serious problems. Yeah, I know, logic is only as good as its' premise but, what is the premise here?

- Billy Coloribus gustibus non disputatum (mostly)

[Kay Lancaster]

When they've done the experiments, looks like leaving it alone really is the best option as far as "sealing". Turns out the sealer holds in enough moisture to let the fungi grow. Harm done by your recommendation, most likely little. Just one of the un-needed things they're happy to sell you.

Kay