| Follow this step by step prescription for
preventing or minimizing tree damage caused by decay: |
| 1.) Prepare:
Learn about trees. The booklets in this series are designed
to help prepare you to care for your trees properly.
Editor's Note: The USFS has a long
list of pubs on trees. Many are mentioned on the About
Forestry site.
|
2.) Plan: Plant
trees according to a carefully thought-out plan. Do not plant
trees in the paths of either present or potential wounding
agents. Do not plant trees close to driveways, walkways,
streets, patios, or houses. |
3.) Protect: Protect
trees from wounding. Give your trees proper protection,
especially during construction jobs
|
| 4.) Prevent: Prevent
the development of decay following wounding. Treat wounds
properly to help trees heal themselves faster. Establish a
regular checkup program to keep healthy trees in good
condition and to improve the health of sick or wounded trees. |
5.) Prune:
Prune trees as necessary. Prune dead and dying branches. Also
remove suppressed sprouts, hazardous trees, and low value
trees that may crowd the valuable injured tree. |
.6.) Provide:
Provide fertilizer, water, and constant care. All are
important elements in maintaining trees and/or increasing tree
vigor. |
7.) Professionals:
Seek help. A qualified professional tree expert should be
consulted about major tree jobs.
|
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And, remember, SAFETY
FIRST! Know your limits with tools and the job that must
be done. Working with and around trees can be dangerous! |
 |
A
hollow can result when decay associated with old wounds
continues to develop over a long period of time. A hollow
forms because the wood that develops after the tree is wounded
is usually not decayed. (See illustrations 56, 57, 58, and 59) |
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Tree hollows can be
filled with a variety of materials. Although it is very
doubtful that this cavity filling will STOP the decay process,
it can help to strengthen the trunk and provide a base for the
developing callus around the wound. Cavity fillings are
sometimes also desirable for esthetic reasons. When filling in
a hollow, be very careful not to injure the tough compartment
wall that separates the hollow and decay from the healthy
wood. (See illustrations 60, 61, 62, and 63) |
 |
Sanitation is extremely important. The microorganisms that may
infect wounds often live on dead wood scattered on the ground.
Keep dead wood away from healthy trees. (See illustrations 64,
65, 66, and 67)
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Forward~Too Late~Tree
Care~Tree Wounds~Prevent Wound Problems~Treat Wounds~Wound RX
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