Ryan Rose

If the tree is fast and effective with its boundary-setting mechanisms, the infection remains localized and does not spread. However, if the boundary-setting mechanisms are not effective, the infection will spread. Most vigorous or actively growing trees are fairly successful in coping with decay-spreading mechanisms.

Physically Repairing Trees
Tree wounds often appear ragged where the bark is torn during the injury. This is common during branch breakage and when the trunk of the tree has been scraped. To repair this type of damage, cut off any ragged bark edges with a sharp knife. Take care not to remove any healthy bark and expose more live tissue than necessary. If possible, the wound should be shaped like an elongated oval, with the long axis running vertically along the trunk or limb. All bark around the wound should be tight.

Dressing Tree Wounds
Research indicates that wound dressings (materials such as tar or paint) do not prevent decay and may even interfere with wound closure. Wound dressings can have the following detrimental effects:

• Prevent drying and encourage fungal growth
• Interfere with formation of wound wood or callus tissue
• Inhibit compartmentalization
• Possibly serve as a food source for pathogens

For these reasons, applying dressings is not recommended. Trees, like many living things, have their own mechanisms to deter the spread of decay organisms, insects and disease.

Fill Tree Cavities
Filling large holes in the tree is generally done for cosmetic reasons. There is little data to indicate that a filled tree has better mechanical stability. However, fillings may give the callus tissue a place to seat, thus stopping the in-roll of the callus. Almost any type of filling can be used as long as it does not scrape the inside of the tree.

Keep In Mind
If you have multiple trees to remove or just don’t have the time to do it, we are here for you. We can handle all of your tree removal needs in the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Richland, Pasco) and even West Richland. We look forward to being your preferred Tri-Cities tree removal service provider.

Tree wounds can be common and the causes of these wounds include: broken branches; deep impacts, and scrapes; animal damage; insect attack; fire; etc. Wounds usually break the bark and damage the food and water conducting tissues. Wounds also expose the inside of the tree to a wide range of problems, primarily bacteria and fungi that may infect and cause discoloration and decay of the wood. Decay can result in weakened tree stems and can decrease the life of a tree. Decay cannot be cured. However, proper tree care can limit the progress of decay in an injured tree. This fact sheet discusses responses to wounds and what can be done after an injury occurs.

Compartmentalization of Tree Wounds
When a tree is wounded, the injured area is not repaired and does not heal. Trees will not heal; they only seal. If you look at an old wound, you will notice that it does not “heal” from the inside out, but eventually the tree covers the opening by forming specialized “callus” tissue around the edges of the wound. After wounding, new wood growing around the wound forms a protective boundary preventing the infection or decay from spreading into the new tissue. Thus, the tree responds to the injury by “compartmentalizing” the older, injured tissue with the gradual growth of new, healthy tissue.

Creating Barrier Zones Around Trees
Not only do trees try to close damage from the outside, they also make the existing wood surrounding the wound unsuitable for spread of decay organisms. Although these processes are not well understood, the tree tries to avoid further injury by setting chemical and physical barriers.

Keep In Mind
If you have multiple trees to remove or just don’t have the time to do it, we are here for you. We can handle all of your tree removal needs in the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Richland, Pasco) and even West Richland. We look forward to being your preferred tree removal service provider.

Stem Girdling Roots
Stem girdling roots are roots at or below the soil surface that partially or completely encircle the trunk of the tree. Over time, they begin to stress the health of the tree, including the root system. The girdling roots eventually cause compression of the lower trunk, creating a weak point that is often the point of failure in high windstorms. Many stem girdling root problems can be prevented by root pruning pot bound trees before planting and planting all trees at the correct depth—the first branch roots just below the soil surface.

Site Problems
Common site problems that may contribute to tree failure are: poor soils, confined rooting areas, and inappropriate species for the location (such as large trees in small boulevard strips). Most of the problems are directly or indirectly related to lack of oxygen reaching the roots of the trees. When oxygen is lacking, root systems decline and tree stability declines. It is important to know your site situation, including soil types and rooting volume, before trees are selected and planted.

Summary
While tree failure can not be 100% predicted, there are ways to determine if tree failure is possible. Decay, poor maintenance practices, stem girdling roots, and site problems can be indicators of possible future damage. Take care to analyze these conditions and take preventative action if possible.

Keep In Mind
If you have multiple trees to remove or just don’t have the time to do it, we are here for you. We can handle all of your tree removal needs in the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Richland, Pasco) and even West Richland. We look forward to being your preferred tree removal service provider.