Painter's Caulk as a Wound Sealant?

whidn

Does anyone know if latex caulk can be used as a wound sealer?
What about silicon based sealers?

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Tony

I use latex glue so I don't see where caulk would be a problem.

whidn

Thanks Tony..I tried it about a week ago on a cypress and he didn't seem to mind. about a month ago I tried it on an eastern red cedar and it is now dead. I think that I hurt it more than the caulk though.

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A lways
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K nowledge

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TreeBay

<Note the SEARCH feature was brand new at that point this post was originally written, so I was particularly excited about it>

http://forum.bonsaitalk.com/showthr...d=9159#post9159

I found it with SEARCH!

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whidn

Thanks Treebay I guess Latex products are safe for trees. I have to remember that trees and humans are alot different.

__________________
Beginner From U.S.A.

If you skim when you read
Your knowledge will be skimpy

A lways
S eek
K nowledge

God, give me the wisdom to use it

TreeBay

***RANT ALERT !!!***

Cut paste is so inexpensive and works so well, why use anything else? Sure you can use white glue and have it run all over the bark of your tree at the first rain, and yes, you can use latex caulk and curse yourself when you try to get it off later.

Is it worth wondering if you killed a tree with by using the wrong product.? Some of those tub seals and things have fungicides, which are probably not what killed your tree. Pure latex should be "safe," but I really wonder about some of the things that people try to use in the interest of saving a dime. I'd get kicked or laughed out of the workshop and study groups I attend if I came in with a tube of that stuff.

I see people use the wrong tools all the time. We get folks at the beginner classes bringing slipjoint pliers and anvil pruners, and these same guys usually have a bundle of bent and used wire stuffed in their pre-war toolboxes along with some clothespins and a rusty philips screwdriver. That will come in real handy one day, I'm sure.

I've seen fingers sliced open at grafting workshops with both scalpels and single edge razor blades, (which are darn cheap granted, but really don't work quite the same as a hollow-ground grafting knife). I've seen branches broken as wire was removed by unwrapping rather than cutting each coil, either because the owner was trying to save a $.05 length of wire or because he didn't want to splurge on a proper pair of wire cutters.

You don't need expensive tools and supplies to do bonsai, but there are some basic ones. I think the most important rule I could ever teach anyone is to respect the tree. If you respect the tree, you'll do better work and operate in its best interest. You'll take your time, you'll plan better, and you'll do better bonsai.

If you don't think you can find the money for proper tools, then save the money you'd use on that next tree or another pot and instead, buy some fresh wire and a pair of wire cutters, a tube or can of cut paste, It's an inexpensive way to get a a fresh attitude.

*** END RANT ALERT ***

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest - I feel so much better!

This Bonsai Rant brought to you by

Matt

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splinter

I'm new at this, but I definitely agree! Using the right tools can make a world of difference. The local nursery that I buy my bonsai supplies at is somewhat limited, but they had a jar of cut paste that I bought and I'll probably have for years. You don't have to use much, and it wasn't horribly expensive. I wouldn't begin to mess with caulk to do the job.

BTW Matt,
I ordered a stainless JR concave cutter from Treebay, and it was worth every penny!

denny

i`ve never used anything and have had no ill effects.... so far.

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Denny
Still Growing in zone 9
So.Cal.

Tony

Denny, that's what most do. Most scars will heal fine on their own if they are cut right in the first place. The only time I've had a problem is when taking off larger branches on thin barked trees, especially when it's hot. Sometimes the bark will separate and leave an ugly scar in that situation. I'll try the Japanese cut paste when they start selling it a Walmart around the corner. Til then I'm sticking with my Elmer's.

Tony