ISHS Acta Horticulturae 496: International Symposium on Urban Tree Health
MECHANICAL ROOT INJURIES - COMPARTMENTALISATION, PRUNING AND WOUND DRESSING |
| Author: | H. Balder |
| Keywords: | Compartmentalisation, pruning, regeneration of roots, root-destroying fungi, root injury, tree care, wound treatment |
| Abstract:
Root injuries of trees are very wide-spread in urban areas. The compartmentalisation of injured bark is more effective than after lopping. The ability of damaged roots to form new roots decrease with enlarged diameter, the length of discoloured tissue in the wood increase at the same time. Moreover, the location of the injury and the time of wounding influence the wound reaction: wounds distant of the trunk cause less damage than those close to the stem, opposite the regeneration of roots is decreased. Injuries at the beginning of the vegetation period lead to a better compartmentalisation than those applied in winter. Wound dressings are dismantled faster under soil conditions and cannot prevent infections by wood-destroying fungi. They have only little effect on the wound reactions and on the development of new roots. The best root protection is to prevent every mechanical injury. | |
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