frnds how can i prevent it from decaying....

[yadibrar]

hello frnds..
i have also posted this ficus panda previously in a thread ....
now i saw one of its side which got dead start decaying.....i have no experience with deadwoods(how to preserve them...)...so pls help me.....

[Makkanan]

Not familiar with this variety, and a bit hard to tell in the photo, but simply because there's bark moved from one area doesn't mean the decay is progressing. A single photo often can't tell the story...and the bark might be flaking, but the wood below looks fairly free from rot. However, assuming it's progressing, here are some options....and others will add, I'm sure:
*Make sure the decay area has some more exposure to sunlight. That in itself can do the trick for figs...I've seen a few with fairly substanial gashes heal nicely with a pinch of mositure control.
*Gently file away the decaying bits, (inspecting for pests?)
*Dremel the decaying barkline and then either:
*Cauterise lightly with a butane torch;
*Good ole lime sulphur;
*Wood hardener (available at any hardware store.... including the unmentionable one starting with "B")
*Wound paste/putty
*Bitumen-based 'steriprune' type paint...
*Some might also recommend grafting mastik in this case....

[yadibrar]

thanks Makkanan.....i m sure it is decaying because after removing that dead bark i saw some blackish powder and white spots their.....

[Bretts]

I do very little to trees with decaying deadwood. Maybe I will remove the stuff that is disintegrating and carve to pretty it up some if I think I can do a better job than nature. Other than that I just try to plan the design so that when the deadwood goes what is left will look good.
Just keep the bottom edge away from the moisture of the soil so the tree can find it's new balance and work with it.

[kcpoole]

Ever here we have a product called "Earles Wood Hardener"

you paint it on, and it will soak in and preserve any rotting timber. Then the Bark can grow back over the wound if you let it or you can keep as a feature.

Ken

[Amanda]

Ever here we have a product called "Earles Wood Hardener"

you paint it on, and it will soak in and preserve any rotting timber. Then the Bark can grow back over the wound if you let it or you can keep as a feature.

Ken

Earls is what I use to treat my Privet, takes a few applications with a paint brush and some tilting of the tree to avoid run off, but the slooshy stuff has to be dug out first or, as I have found, it'll retain moisture.

[yadibrar]

thanks Bret,kcpoole &Anja for kind suggestions............