How to fill this "hole" in the bark of my Birch tree? (with Pic)

vicwatson

Trying to find something to fill this hole to the right of picture, it got damaged on planting a few years ago and should have done something about it then. Is there a specialist type of compound etc?

I wouldn't like it to get diseased or rot so need to do something about it asap.

Mod can you oblige me and resize this Jpeg, can't flamin' do it. TIA

magicbastarder

i can't think of anything; the tree has its own immune system, and any attempt to plug it would look faintly absurd.

trees sustains damage all the time in the wild, and they're fine most of the time.

vicwatson

This looks like it's going to rot and It hasn't healed itself over the last 5 years in any way shape or form. It faces into the driving rain too. I'm sure there is a protection measure but alas what can it be?

vicwatson

PS - It's not a "wild" tree, it's an ornamental garden tree, wouldn't really care if it was in the wild and didn't belong to me.

celticbhoy27

vicwatson wrote: »

PS - It's not a "wild" tree, it's an ornamental garden tree, wouldn't really care if it was in the wild and didn't belong to me.

That wasn't the point he was making. He's saying that trees sustain damage in their native habitats all the time and they persevere. Your tree is no different, it'll be fine

vicwatson

I don't want to take the chance, is there a type of compound or the likes that I can use to "fill" the gap?

The damage that was done to it was off the side of the truck when it was being planted.

Norfolk Enchants_

vicwatson wrote: »

I don't want to take the chance, is there a type of compound or the likes that I can use to "fill" the gap?

The damage that was done to it was off the side of the truck when it was being planted.

No Vic there is nothing that can be done now and any attempt to do anything may result in worsening the damage, it's a case of just letting nature run it's course now.
Not what you want to hear, but your situation highlights how easy it is to damage youngs trees and how that damge is next to impossible to reverse, and how important it is to care correctly for young trees.

vicwatson

Norfolk Enchants_ wrote: »

No Vic there is nothing that can be done now and any attempt to do anything may result in worsening the damage, it's a case of just letting nature run it's course now.
Not what you want to hear, but your situation highlights how easy it is to damage youngs trees and how that damge is next to impossible to reverse, and how important it is to care correctly for young trees.

How would it result in worsening if there is a product available desigend for such a task?

The tree was bought and planted at about 35 years of age so it's not young-young if you get me

looksee

The tree has dealt with the problem. If you cover the scar it could rot underneath. There is no guarantee the tree will not rot, but covering the scar is more likely to encourage it to rot than save it. Even if you put something on the scar, it will still be there, its not like using woodfiller that you can fill up and sand down to match.

wildlifeboy

its already healed

prospect

The only thing I would let near that scar is fresh air.

As others have posted above, it has already dealt with the problem and it will look after itself.

wildlifeboy

I had the same issue with a silver birch about three years ago. a lower branch was ripped off in strong winds. it left a big scar but now the tree has grown around the scar and its practically unnoticable. in fact i like it now because it adds a bit of character to it.