Nancy

Thank you, Behr. So, since I actually like scars and wounds, should I use the cut paste or not? I have a Chinese Elm with deadwood sitting in a spot where a large branch was removed. Ditto, deadwood would on a ficus retusa and ficus neriifolia. The wounds were not cut with concave cutters. The protruding deadwood was soft and rotting. I have removed that. But I was very unsure how far to scrape. I have heard that even tropicals and subtropicals will not heal over "dead" wood if it is rotting or if the edges of the healthy bark has quit closing. Conversely, I have heard that everything will be fine if I just keep water from sitting in these places and that cut paste might seal in bacteria. What is the truth? I find the cut paste to be very ugly and I don't understand how the tree heals over it. Does the paste eventually pop off or can the tree actually include this material? What are the results? With cut paste use, I assume most people are after a 100% closure of the wound. If I don't use the paste, what are the results? How do I care for the wound and enjoy its rough, aged appearance? I've also heard of Elmer's glue being used, which dries clear and petroleum jelly. At least those materials would look nicer. Thank you. Nancy