Organic Answers Column - June 8, 2022

Saving Totally Girdled Trees

When woody plants, especially trees, are damaged with bark stripped away in spots or strips, the fix is easy. Mix up some Tree Trunk Goop and slather it on the wounds. The concoction will feed the tree into the trunk or limb, prevent the wound from drying and accelerate the callousing and covering of the wound.

Trees totally girdled are much more difficult to save. I came up with a wild idea some years ago and it seems to work in many cases. Listeners and readers have reported being successful saving totally girdled trees and have even sent photos proving it. I didn't think it was possible before, but now I do. For total girdling, Tree Trunk Goop needs to be applied to the damaged area, but there's more to do.

Girdled baldcypress

Burlap or some other fabric material needs to be soaked in the Goop and then wrapped all the way around the damaged trunk and secured with pins. Tin foil and/or plastic can be wrapped around the burlap to help hold the moisture in the mixture. One of my arborist friends uses roofing felt with good results. Doing this procedure as soon after the animal or other damage is critical.

Maintaining moisture in the fabric covering and on the wound is important. When this procedure is done quickly and carefully, the bark will actually regrow and bridge the destroyed area.

Tree trunk goop

There are two formula options for TTG. The original is a equal mix of three materials - diatomaceous earth, soft rock phosphate and compost. Add enough water to make a thick slurry. Slather this wet mix onto scrapes, cuts, borer holes, ripped places, mechanical damage or other injuries on trunks or limbs. Reapply the Goop if washed off by rain or irrigation. In the soil, the mix makes a good organic fertilizer. Fireplace ashes can be used if soft rock phosphate isn't available.

The second formula is easier and may work even better. It uses equal amounts of just two materials - high quality compost (or earthworm castings) and Azomite, a quality volcanic based rock mineral. Water again is the final ingredient.

Even severe damage from woodpeckers can be treated with the Tree Trunk Goop procedure.

I have never and still don't recommend wound dressings like tar and black paint products, on pruning cuts or damaged bark. They can do more damage than good. But the Tree Trunk Goop mixture is different. It feeds the tree through the wounded area and helps damaged places heal quickly and thoroughly. If normal wound dressing must be used, for whatever reason, the product called Lac Balsam is the best on the market. It stays soft and resilient and allows at least some air to reach the wound.

As a final note - this tree damage procedure will always have a better chance of success if the Entire Sick Tree Treatment is also applied.

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