How To Prevent Wound Problems Cankers Splits Hollows How to Prevent Wound Problems First test the vigor of a branch to see if pruning might be necessary. If pruning is necessary, prune dead and dying branches properly to help the tree heal its branch wounds faster and to reduce the chances for infection that could lead to decay. Proper pruning will help the tree, while improper pruning only causes the tree more trouble . . . Upper cut to remove branch 3. Flush cut Cankers Splits Canker-causing microorganisms often become established on dying branches before invading the trunk.
Most cankers start from poorly healed branch stubs.
The bark often splits above and below poorly healed branch stubs. These splits are additional entry points for trunk-infecting microorganisms. Hollows Water often fills the hollows associated with very old branch stubs. Do not bore a hole to let water out of a hollow, because this will permit decay to spread into the healthy wood that surrounds the hollow. Prune old dead stubs properly.