Question
maple damaged by ice s
Hello,
We have to be what we are told a 200 year old maple tree on our property. December 2008 we had a bad ice storm which took off a large branch.
There is now a large open area where the branch was, with no bark to protect it.
We need advice on what to do. We do not want to loose this beautiful tree. It looks a little different now with the branch gone.
Thanks,
Eva
AnswerCut any loose bark away from the wound and any splinted wood that may be sticking up. The tree will heal over the wound with time. Do not put any wound dressing on the wound this will slow the healing process. IF you see any signs of insect boring (sawdust, holes in the wound) then I would spray the wound area with an insecticide called Merit. Check with your local nursery for Merit.
The wound is not life threating at the very worst decay fungi could enter the wound and over many many years the tree could be come hollow. But even a hollow tree is healthy. Except for a lop sided looking tree it should be ok.
