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I have a very mature weeping willow in the front garden which was well balanced and with the recent storm one of the main branches broke off. I noted that branch had a weakness, due to rotting from inside. I was advised to pollard the two remaining branches quite far back as the split from the main tree was starting to show signs of weakness.

Where the branch broke off, this was going to be cut back to the stem of the tree and left for the tree to heal. Is there sealing that can be applied once the broken branch is cut back to prevent ingress of the water into the tree?

Any advice on this is much appreciated, it will be a real shame to lose a much loved willow!

Sue Saddest Farewell TGO GL
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Sheeba Pillai
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1 Answers1

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Do not apply anything. "Tree paint" has been discredited for years - it harms, not helps the healing process. But it's still for sale in too many places. All you can do is cut it back properly (not too long [dead stub rots], not too short [you want to retain the "collar" where the tree is prepared to seal off the branch when it dies.])

Willows are quite resilient - it will likely recover fine.

Ecnerwal
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