graygun
Hunter
I've heard or read that latex paint ( most of us have some left over from jobs) can be used to seal where branches have been cut instead of the tar-like spray that's $6 a can. Is this true?
Pruning Spray Alternative
- Thread starter graygun
- Start date
I don't know, but I do know that only certain trees need to be treated at the cut. A call to your local Agricultural Extension Service will steer you straight.
Poco Oso
Buckeye
Latex paint works fine. They also make a waxy treatment called "End Seal". I have used both. the latex takes a couple applications to work well. Just let it get tacky enough not to pull up with the next app.
coach
Hunter
Painting or tar like seal isn't needed. It retards the healing of the wound and is more likely to allow rot to develop underneath
coach said:
This. I'm a retired landscape architect, and I have spent some hard working years in the nursery trade. We used to use the tar spray because it was believed to not cause problems while making us a lot of $. Then we found out thru research at places like the University of Minnesota that it does more harm than good. Just make a good, clean cut that is about 1/4" - 1/2" from the surface you are removing it from (trunk or other, larger branch). Then leave it alone. Bleach your pruner between cuts on different trees.
ronto
Hunter
The deer actually tried to climb my plum trees to get at the fruit and broke a few main branches in the process. I was planning to paint the cuts with latex paint. Now I'll just leave about a 1/2" stub and leave it alone. Thanks for the info. 
graygun said:
There are always some qualifiers to every statement. Oak trees (at least up here) should not be pruned in the early part of the growing season (read Spring up north) because of the risk of disease passing into the newly cut wood. Not sure if that is an issue in Texas, so I would recommend that you contact your county extension agent and ask them if timing might be an issue..
