Maple Tree Problem

Thanks for the advice,

I carried out my surgery last weekend using a £50.00 recipricating saw from Homebase. I cut all dead or diseased branches back to approx 20mm from the trunk and it is now looking alot thinner.

There are still some areas of damaged bark but I am hoping these will heal.

The question I have is "do I need to do anything to the sawn areas left behind or will they heal on their own? Do they need to be painted with anything?"

I also took the time to add compost to the base so this will hopefully help in the recovery.

 

On another subject, I now think that the fungus growing on my tree (see pic) was merely harmless lichen after all. Still not sure whether the damaged bark was canker or just external damage but I am hoping the trim will do good.

http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/o...l/CIMG0804.jpg

 

The general consensus nowadays sdeems to be NOT to 'paint' the wounds with anything (see RHS recommendations)
The exception appears to be when the wound is particularly large or a cosmetic appearance is wanted. If I cut a large branch I paint with arbrex wound sealer ... I have never had any problems and it most definitely looks better

 

Sportball,

As long as your pruning did not damage the branch collar (or you left stubs that are too long), then the tree should seal over the wound naturally. Cutting too far into the trunk, or too far away, and the tree's meristem won't produce the wound wood required for sealing. Your pic does look like lichen and should do no harm to the tree but can be removed for aesthetic reasons if you so like.