Scientists study the reaction trees have to maintenance efforts such as pruning and chemical treatments over the course of time and, in many cases, we have learned to leave well enough alone. A good example of this is the use of pruning paints and sealers. Painting a pruning cut with a black, sometimes tar-based paint was standard 20 years ago. The original intent was to prevent decay from occurring at the pruning site. However, the reality is painting won't prevent decay and can have the opposite effect.
Read on
The Painting is by Ivan Shishkin
