Table of Contents
Why Is Painting Tree Pruning Sealer a Bad Idea?
You may have seen advertisements or DIY “how to” videos online that recommend painting tree pruning sealers onto freshly cut tree limbs as a way to protect the tree from disease. We’re here to tell you that this is not a good idea!
Tree pruning sealer is a type of paint specially formulated to protect tree wounds from decay and insects. It is commonly used by arborists and homeowners to prolong the life of pruned trees. However, painting tree pruning sealers on trees can do more harm than good. In this blog post, we’ll explain why painting on tree pruning sealers is a bad idea
What is a Tree Pruning Sealer?
Tree pruning sealer is a type of paint or coating that is applied to the cut surfaces of a tree after pruning. It helps protect the tree from disease and decay, while also preventing moisture from entering the cut surface. This can improve the appearance of the tree and help it heal faster.
There are two main types of tree pruning sealers: water-based and oil-based. Water-based sealers are typically made from latex or acrylic, while oil-based sealers usually contain linseed oil or other drying oils. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, so be sure to do some research to figure out which one is right for your trees.
Benefits of Using a Tree Pruning Sealer
There are several benefits to using tree pruning sealers on your trees. First, as we mentioned before, it helps protect the trees from diseases and decay. It does this by creating a barrier between the cuts and the outside environment. This barrier can also help prevent moisture from entering the cuts, which can cause them to heal more slowly.
In addition to its protective properties, tree pruning sealer can also improve the appearance of your trees. It does this by filling in any cracks or crevices in the cut surfaces, giving them a smooth appearance. This can make your trees look healthier and more attractive.
Finally,tree pruning sealer can speed up the healing process for your trees. By sealing off the cuts and preventing moisture from entering them, tree pruning sealer allows the cuts to heal more quickly so that your trees can get back to looking their best as soon as possible.
As you can see, there are many benefits to using tree pruning sealers on your trees. If you’re planning on doing some pruning this summer, be sure to pick up a tree pruning sealer to help keep your trees healthy and looking their best!
What is Tree Sealant?
Tree sealant is a type of paint or chemical that is applied to the trunk and branches of a tree in order to “seal” it. The idea is that by sealing the tree, you will be able to protect it from insects, disease, and rot. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
In fact, tree sealant can do more harm than good. First of all, it can prevent the tree from being able to breathe. Trees need to be able to exchange gases through their bark in order to stay healthy. When you seal off the bark with tree sealant, you could be suffocating the tree.
In addition, tree sealant can make it difficult for the tree to absorb water and nutrients. This can lead to dehydration and malnutrition, both of which can seriously damage the tree. Finally, tree sealant creates a nice, smooth surface for insects to walk on. This could potentially lead to an infestation that could do serious damage to the tree.
As you can see, there are more disadvantages than advantages when it comes to using tree sealant. If you’re concerned about protecting your trees from insects, disease, or rot, your best bet is to invest in a high-quality insecticide or fungicide. These products will do what they claim without causing any harm to your trees.
Paint Doesn’t adhere Well to Limbs
One of the biggest problems with painting tree pruning sealers on limbs is that the paint doesn’t adhere well to the surface of the limb. This is because the surface of a freshly cut limb is not smooth – it’s made up of tiny cells that are filled with sap. When you try to paint over these cells, the paint doesn’t stick well and can easily peel off. This defeats the purpose of using paint in the first place, as it provides no protection for the tree when disease or pests come knocking.
The first reason why paint doesn’t adhere well to tree limbs is because of the smooth, waxy surface of the bark. The coating is designed to protect the tree from pests and disease, but it also makes it difficult for paint to properly adhere.
Another reason why paint doesn’t stick well to tree limbs is that they are constantly moving. As the wind blows, the limbs of the tree will sway back and forth, which can cause any paint that has been applied to crack or chip off.
Finally, trees are constantly growing. As the tree grows, the bark will expand and contract, which can also cause any paint that has been applied to crack or chip off.
While it may be tempting to try and brush some paint on those unsightly tree limbs, it’s generally not a good idea. The smooth, waxy surface of the bark makes it difficult for paint to properly adhere to and the constant movement of the limbs can cause any paint that has been applied to crack or chip off. If you absolutely must paint those tree limbs, your best bet is to use a product specifically designed for painting on outdoor surfaces like trees.
Discolor The Limb
Many times, you may have seen us professionals discolouring the limbs of trees. It may seem like a strange practice, but there is a method to our madness! In this blog post, we’ll explain why we discolour the limbs of trees and how it benefits both the tree and the homeowner.
The practice of discolouring the limbs of trees is called girdling. Girdling is when a ring is cut around the trunk of a tree, damaging the cambium layer just beneath the bark. This interrupts the flow of water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves, causing the leaves to turn brown and eventually die. While this may seem like a bad thing, girdling has many benefits!
Girdling helps to promote growth in other parts of the tree by redirecting energy that would normally go to the leaves. This results in increased growth in the roots and trunk, making the tree stronger and more resistant to wind damage. Girdling also stimulates fruit production by encouraging flowering and fruit set. For homeowners, this means more flowers and fruits for you to enjoy!
Girdling can also be used to control tree size. By selectively girdling branches, we can direct a tree’s growth so that it stays within its desired size range. This is especially beneficial for young trees that are still growing and establishing themselves.
Conclusion:
All in all, painting tree pruning sealer on limbs is not a good idea. It doesn’t adhere well, can discolor the limb, and ultimately provides no protection for your tree. If you’re looking for a way to protect your trees from disease and pests, we suggest using a product like Tree Tangle foot instead.
