When a tree is wounded, the injured tissue is not repaired and does not heal. Trees do not heal; they seal. If you look at an old wound, you will notice that it does not “heal” from the inside out, but eventually the tree covers the opening by forming specialized “callus” tissue around the edges of the wound.

Can a damaged tree be saved?

Yes, a tree with a broken-off top can be saved. This is because, in the right environment, such trees can quickly develop water sprouts that help them to cope with the extreme loss of foliage. With time, the tree can eventually heal, develop branches and even end up thriving.

How can I help my tree heal?

Good pruning practices are a much better plan to help trees heal. Make clean cuts flush with the trunk of the tree when removing large branches. Straight cuts leave smaller wounds than angled cuts, and smaller wounds are more likely to callus over promptly. Cut broken limbs with ragged ends below the point of injury.