European bird cherry wound

[headgroundsman]

A European bird cherry, Prunus padus, in our village has lost a limb resulting is a tear in the bark down the trunk. A friend that helps look after trees in the village asked if I had any tree wound paint to help preserve the tree. I told him that I didn't think it was the best thing to do but said I would ask hear as I know many of you have much more knowledge about tree care than me. Would you paint the wound or leave it to do it's own thing.

[Dan Maynard]

Textbook answer is that wound paint is no longer recommended, it seals in decay rather than keeping it out.

Post some pics though, may be that the cut or stub could do with a prune to clean it up.