Best way to treat tree wound?

[hslogger]

Tree wounds do not heal. The process is called compartmentalization. Trees have the ability to somewhat insulate, ie build tissue that will isolate the wound and keep it from the rest of the tree. This is a generalization. BIG wounds such as this, that are close to the main body are a hazard to the longevity of the three. This tree may well survive a long time, but this doesn't do it any good at all.

Aborists encourage removal of hazard trees next to buildings and have the owners replant something that is site specific, more friendly to the infrastructure in the area. Likely, if this is near a building, or sidewalk, or driveway, it has been compromised by root stress anyway. When you see trees uprooted near concrete, it is the invasion of the root structure that failed the tree. Painting this thing or putting tar on it won't do anygood but give you some visual false impression that you are doing good for it.

 

[Coyote machine]

It's hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like the leader was cut too close to the remaining trunk of the tree. It would have been better if the final cut allowed the trunk and cut to shed water/snow better by cutting close near the bottom of the cut and further away at the top so water, etc. would drain away from the hole and the wound. Tough to tell how far the cavity reaches into the trunk, but time will tell what the outcome will be. Did a pro make the cut, or did you do it yourself?

Upon further study of the Ash you modified to compliment your landscape, it appears this was a double trunk tree with a low crotch. Now you have a single trunk tree with a lean in the remaining trunk. Depending what the canopy shape is, the tree may be more likely to blow over in a storm due to the imbalance of only one trunk and the weight of the stalk and canopy now being more susceptible to wind exposure.
Can you click a few pics of the remaining tree, especially the canopy, and surrounding landscape; sheds, neighboring houses, etc. And give us a perspective of the trunk's lean over it's entire height?
It's possible you saved your house but may have doomed the tree to a need for complete takedown.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Is there a way to treat this wound in order to get the most life out of the remaining tree trunk? I had to take out one part of this twin-trunk tree since it was too close to the house.
I have always heard the you don't need to put on a cut sealer. But how do I keep water from filling up the rotted core of the stump.
Appreciate it.View attachment 408765

I've spent time learning and practicing arborist techniques. Don't spray undercoating on that wound: doing so will trap water coming up from the roots and rot out the truck killing the healthy tree. On this wound I suggest a bit of colored flashing to cover the entire wound, creasing the top edge to create a drip edge so that water will not run down the underside. Screw it in and caulk the top of the screws to make it water tight. Do not caulk the tree truck side.

Remind me to snap a photo of a birch I did this same thing to 10 years ago.

 

[Looking4new]

Remind me to snap a photo of a birch I did this same thing to 10 years ago.

Eric, here is your reminder.

 

[JeremyL]

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful and well-founded answers. I will use no wound dressing, and may drill a weep hole to keep water from collecting in the hollow.

The tree that was cut, leaving the stump with the hollow is the one with a light-colored bark to the right of the people in the photo. It is an oak.

Here is another shot of the hole.

And, as a bonus, what the house looks like when the leaves are out, July 2014. The trees and limbs were removed from the right, rear corner of the house. When my in-laws built the house 35 years ago it was on the edge of the woods, and the woods have been edging closer to it.

 

[murphy1244]

Is there a way to treat this wound in order to get the most life out of the remaining tree trunk? I had to take out one part of this twin-trunk tree since it was too close to the house.
I have always heard the you don't need to put on a cut sealer. But how do I keep water from filling up the rotted core of the stump.
Appreciate it.View attachment 408765

The trunk looks like you have the Emerald ash borer. Are those little holes in the trunk?? If so that tree is dead.

 

[dave1949]

The trunk looks like you have the Emerald ash borer. Are those little holes in the trunk?? If so that tree is dead.

I thought the OP said it is an oak, it looks like oak.

I think those holes are woodpecker testing picks.

 

[murphy1244]

I thought the OP said it is an oak, it looks like oak.

I think those holes are woodpecker testing picks.

Well then he don't have to worry about the emerald ash borer.:ashamed:

 

[JeremyL]

Yep, oak.
But we do now have Emerald Ash Borers in Kentucky.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Eric, here is your reminder.

This tree has two patches like this (the other is in a trunk 12 feet up). The tree is still healthy and growing ten years on.