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Gardening
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 17/11/2008, 0:03
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Rich1972
Joined on 18/04/2008
Charente/Vienne Border
Posts 94
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![Blink [blink]](/cs/images/emotions/blink.gif)
Repairing a Damaged Walnut Tree
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Hello
I've removed a lot of ivy from an ivy-infested walnut tree in the garden. Upon removing it I discovered that, at the base of the tree where the ivy was thickest, it had rotted out the bark of the tree. I've removed all of the loose/damaged bark and now I'm left with a big 'hole' in the bark around the trunk. The trunk is about 12'' in diameter and the missing bark extends over an area about 10'' by 20''. Since I removed the ivy and rotten bark birds have been visiting and have had great fun pecking out the insects that were living in the dead bark. The tree as a whole seems relatively healthy but I want to do all I can to encourage the healing of the wound. The tree is magnificent and I would be very sad to lose it. Is there anything I can put on the bark to cover it or protect it?
Any advice would be most welcome ![Smile [:)]](/cs/images/emotions/smile.gif)
Rich
Charente/Vienne
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17/11/2008, 6:17
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Lisleoise
 
Joined on 15/12/2005
Périgord Vert (NW Dordogne)
Posts 950
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Re: Repairing a Damaged Walnut Tree
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If it is only the bark that is damaged then I would leave it and eventually it will grow back over. If the wood is cut too then I would maybe use some 'cicatrice' spray/paint on goudron de norveige.
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17/11/2008, 12:06
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Rich1972
Joined on 18/04/2008
Charente/Vienne Border
Posts 94
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![Cry Out [:'(]](/cs/images/emotions/cry.gif)
Re: Repairing a Damaged Walnut Tree
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Oh my god it's worse than I remembered! I've not checked it for two or three months at least as I've been run off my feet doing a million other things. There are these hideous bright red hard-shelled beetles running about over the bark and it looks like some more has peeled away from the wood. I've included links to two pictures, one showing the worse of the damage and another taken from the other side
Can I buy the Norway tar at a garden centre??
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17/11/2008, 14:00
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Rich1972
Joined on 18/04/2008
Charente/Vienne Border
Posts 94
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Re: Repairing a Damaged Walnut Tree
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OK, I've just been out and bought some goudron de pin, a brush and a sharp Stanley knife. I'm going to cut back the loose bark into an oval shape so that only non-loose bark is remaining, then spray with an insecticide before adding the goudron de pin. I know there are differing views about the use of wound paint, especially on wounds that are relatively old (i.e. the last six months) but I don't think I've got anything to lose and the actual wood of the tree is badly pock-marked by those damn birds feasting on grubs. I just need to stabilise the wound and hopefully the tree will pull through over the winter and into next year.
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17/11/2008, 15:01
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Lisleoise
Joined on 15/12/2005
Périgord Vert (NW Dordogne)
Posts 950
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Re: Repairing a Damaged Walnut Tree
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Those bugs are commonly known as 'Gendarmes'. I don't know if they do any damage, but I have them on my Tilleuil. ChrisPP will be able to tell you if they are 'unfriendly' to trees. There does seem to be quite some excavation damage to the wood.
The tree is leaning somewhat. Is it leaning towards any buildings? I would be tempted to fell it. Walnut trees grow really fast so you could easily replace it, the trunk isn't that large so it is not that ancient.
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17/11/2008, 16:39
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Rich1972
Joined on 18/04/2008
Charente/Vienne Border
Posts 94
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Re: Repairing a Damaged Walnut Tree
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Hi
You know, having spent the afternoon on this I'm starting to agree with you re. felling the tree. It is leaning at an angle but not actually leaning over anything. The worst of the damage is on the side that's taking the strain too. It's about 30-35ft tall at the moment. As I said before, the problem started because of a huge knot of thick ivy at the base of the tree that had loosened the bark and was causing rot. I thought it would improve when I removed the ivy but it's actually just got worse. Oh well. I'm going to wait to see how it develops into the spring and then make a decision re. felling it next year.
Thanks for the feedback :)
Rich
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17/11/2008, 19:09
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Rich1972
Joined on 18/04/2008
Charente/Vienne Border
Posts 94
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Re: Repairing a Damaged Walnut Tree
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Btw, yes the red beetles were indeed gendarmes, or firebugs. They're everywhere at the moment: crawling on the compost heap, under the bark of the walnut and covering the leaves of the hibiscus. I'm not a fan of bugs so I don't like them at all. Although I did see a Swallowtail butterfly over the summer which was absolutely stunning.
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France Forum » Leisure and Pas... » Gardening » Re: Repairing a Damaged Walnut Tree
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