Painting Tree Wounds

Painting Tree Wounds

Marianne C. Ophardt
Washington State University Cooperative Extension
Area Extension Agent

Should pruning cuts and other tree wounds be covered with some kind of paint? No! Wound dressing or pruning paints are not recommended. Research has shown that they don't prevent wood decay behind the pruning cut and may even increase the amount of wood rot by keeping the environment moist and dark. It's better to keep the wound open to air and light. Sometimes pruning paints are applied for cosmetic purposes. When this is done, they should only be applied in a thin coat.

Please contact your local County Extension Office or a local ISA Certified Arborist if you have tree questions or problems.
Unfortunately, we are not staffed to answer questions from outside the Mid-Columbia Area of Washington State.
For questions about the Mid-Columbia Community Forestry Council, please contact ophardtm@wsu.edu.
Include your name and location so we can best answer your question.
®2001 Mid-Columbia Community Forestry Council
5600-E West Canal Place Kennewick, WA 99336 (509) 735-3551