We are building an addition to our house, and the contractor ran into this tree with his equipment. Ideally, I’d like to save the tree, but not sure if there’s anything I should do to it since it is winter. I’ve seen some people paint over stuff like this or should I just leave it alone?
by ObjectiveType1067
2 Comments
Leave it alone, let it ride. It might close over it and be fine, or it could lead to rot in the trunk. Time will tell. It looks young enough but mature enough to recover fine.
Wound dressings do NOTHING to help trees that have been damaged like this.
It’s possible that this tree can go on and live for many decades. However, if this tree is close to your house, you may be in an increased risk situation. The open wound will most certainly begin to decay long before the tree can close off the wound.
Additionally, I’m concerned with damage to the root systems and soil, as shown in picture 2. Heavy equipment compacts the soil, and can physically crush the roots. This will lead to premature death of many of the trees in that area.
I would recommend having a Certified Arborist who is TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualified) come out and examine the site. Depending on the amount of disturbance and injury, some of those trees may need to come out; definitely, they’ll need to be monitored on a regular basis. Depending on what your contract states and what instructions you gave the contractor, they may or may not need to compensate you for tree damage.