[gurtie]

Having just taken over an allotment, i have found the small apple tree on my plot has had orange  nylon string tied around it base some time ago. so its eaten into the bark. so much so i cant pull it out.
i have cut off what i can get hold of, but is it best to leave the rest or dig it out with a knife and paint over, to stop infection?
please could anyone advise.

[SG6]

My opinion is that I would pull out whatever I could and leave the rest. I would guess, and it is a guess, that the bark will simply grow over it and carry on.

If you dig it out with a knife then you will damage the bark, which may not grow back, and could allow infection in.

It is a hard choice. Depends on how much is embedded. If the amount is in effect the circumference of the tree then I would leave. If say 1/4 then careful digging out should be OK.

Haven't really been of much help

[gurtie]

i would say its around half the circumference, and am so tempted to attack it with knife and screwdriver!
but it is growing with it in, it might be best to leave it alone.

[stentman]

Now you have cut the string it is no longer strangling the tree I would be tempted to  leave well alone. There is an unrestricted route for rising sap and the trunk can expand now it's not being throttled. It might be carrying the odd scar which won't look pretty but it is now a happier tree than before.

[gurtie]

thank you, i hadnt thought of it like that.

[peterjf]

you can buy a bandage wrap from good nurseries, covers the wound and help to seal, good time to put in place now whilst tree is dormant

[Rangerkris]

When cutting tree's i have found an old horse shoe in the middle of the stump if tree can grow with them in im sure a peice of string wont cause to much harm.

[8doubles]

When cutting tree's i have found an old horse shoe in the middle of the stump if tree can grow with them in im sure a peice of string wont cause to much harm.

Bet you`d just sharpened the chainsaw too !

[Rangerkris]

You know..........

[savbo]

I think most tree experts now recommend leaving wounds rather than painting them over - let the tree heal naturally, sap should keep out infection while wound treatment can provide sheltered place for fungi to thrive...