Healing of Wounds
by Julie Sedwick
The healing of large wounds is influenced by the position of the wound on the plant, the length of the stump, the kind of plant and its vigor, the smoothness of the surface of the wound and the season at which it is made. Theoretically the best time to make a large wound is in the early part of the growing season, as at that time it can begin to heal over without delay. Such wounds should be made by making two cuts, the first one being made a foot or so from the junction of the branch to be removed with the limb to which it is attached. This will remove the strain of the heavy top and prevent the bark from peeling down on the limb that is to remain. After the weight of the branch has been removed, cut off the stump as nearly parallel with the main limb as possible and close up to it, so as to leave no stub whatever. The callus which will close over the wound cannot extend out on a stub, but will quickly close over a wound that is smoothly cut and parallel with the limb.
On large wounds the wood should be coated with some waterproof covering, such as white lead paint, grafting wax or tanglefoot. This dressing is not for the purpose of hastening the healing, as it will not do so, but it will close up the pores of the wood against the entry of water and fungi that cause the wood to rot.