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FAQ #38050

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Our gardener told us the “rule of thumb” is that pruning wounds greater than three inches in diameter should be painted with a wound dressing. I thought the rule was no wound dressing. Can you help?

Related resource areas: Gardens, Lawns & Landscapes


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Research has shown that the common wound dressings do not inhibit decay, do not prevent insect entry, and do not bring about faster wound closure. In fact, many of the commonly used dressings slow wound closure. Stick to your guns and encourage good pruning techniques and no wound dressings.

Browse related FAQs by tag: horticulture, pruning, garden myth, garden fact or fiction, wound dressing

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