Expert: Jim Hyland - 10/1/2010

Question
A car has crashed into my garden taking the bark off two conifers. They are about 10 ft tall and damaged at about 3ft height.  Will they survive or should I claim off the insurance for replacements.

Answer
Yes they will survive. Pines have a resin sap that will heal over the wound keeping decay fungi out. Cut the loose bark off around the wound and it will heal faster--do not apply any wound dressing or pruning paint to the wound. This tends to slow down the healing process. Watch the wound area for signs of boring dust and IF any hole or dust are seen spray the area with an insecticide called Onxy or Merit. These will kill any borer type insect that gets in the wound.