Does Trunk Chop Wound Thicken?

[source]

Hi all.

I have a bit of a beginner question that I wanted to find out. When you do a trunk chop into a new leader (slanted chop), does that trunk chop wound area thicken up as you grow a new leader. In other words does the cambium there get restored and it starts to add layers as the new leader is grown freely?

Reason I'm asking is when I did the trunk chop (1st one), I accidentally carved into the new leader when carving the wound, I think severing the cambium on one side (see pic). I'm not sure if I messed it up and the new leader wont thicken all the way around at the base section.

(Soil is wet because just watered it)





Thanks

Daniel

 

[Smoke]

If this had been done just before bud break in the spring, this tree would not have even hiccuped and just gone on growing. The wound would heal in a manner of a month and all would be good.

Now this kind of a wound done in the early winter is pretty dangerous to do to a tree. Firstly, you open it up to all sorts of infections from fungus and blights and the harsh rigors of winter cold and dry air. Second, the area may just dry up since sap is already receding from the upper trunk and this area may just wither and die as spring approaches.

I would seal the whole chop area with a good tree seal even if its tar just to keep it hydrated.

Time will tell.

 

[source]

If this had been done just before bud break in the spring, this tree would not have even hiccuped and just gone on growing. The wound would heal in a manner of a month and all would be good.

Now this kind of a wound done in the early winter is pretty dangerous to do to a tree. Firstly, you open it up to all sorts of infections from fungus and blights and the harsh rigors of winter cold and dry air. Second, the area may just dry up since sap is already receding from the upper trunk and this area may just wither and die as spring approaches.

I would seal the whole chop area with a good tree seal even if its tar just to keep it hydrated.

Time will tell.

Ah sorry I should have posted more details.

The Tree : Japanese Maple
My Location: South Africa
Current Season: End of Spring/Beginning of Summer
Time of trunk chop: 2nd Month into Spring

Hope these details help. Could you let me know if the area that I cut into by accident will still thicken and heal over? Cause it severed the cambium connection on that side. (lower part of leader).

Thanks

 

[Smoke]

Oh under the world. It will fill in and heal.

 

[MnouJiose]

I want to get my hands on some but am hesitant to ship them at this time of year.

 

[Paulpash]

With you cutting the trunk so close to the leader it leaves little room for dieback. If it dies back a few inches it will girdle your new leader too. I use Brent's method and chop above (just under the next node), allow it to die back naturally to your new leader then carve for taper. Try and nibble a bit of a concave shape into the chop to allow the callus room to roll into.

PS - Hope it doesn't die back for you.