Why sealing is so important
Under no circumstances should wood be exposed to moisture, otherwise it will quickly rot. Why that is, some gardening enthusiast might think, my apple tree has been in the garden for 20 years and is still busy bearing apples. Well, a tree trunk is so-called dead wood, which in nature is quickly decomposed by putrefactive bacteria and fungi. These prefer a rather damp environment, which is why the wood must be kept as dry as possible. Wood preservatives seal the pores of the surface and thus ensure that moisture and microorganisms cannot penetrate.
also read
- Debarking a tree trunk - This is how it works
- Cut the tree trunk into slices - that's how it works
- Impregnating a tree trunk: You have these options
What means are available for preserving the wood?
There are various means available for preserving the wood, all of which have different advantages and disadvantages.
| Wood preservatives | advantages | disadvantage | particularities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (e.g. linseed oil) | Penetrating deep into the wood, natural, ecological | linseed oil varnish sticks quickly | natural looking wooden surface |
| Wax (e.g. beeswax) | Penetrating deep into the wood, natural, ecological | sticks quickly, can soften when exposed to heat | for interiors, very good for allergy sufferers |
| glaze | contains color pigments, weather-resistant, long-term protection | covers grain, often contain solvents | prior priming makes sense |
| paint | often colored and opaque, weather-resistant, long-term protection | covers grain, often contain solvents | Roughen the wood before treatment |
Seal the tree trunk - this is how it works
To preserve the tree trunk, it is best to proceed as described:
- Let the wood dry thoroughly first - the drier, the more durable!
- Remove the bark.
- Roughen the surface a little with sandpaper.
- When using a glaze, a primer should be applied beforehand.
- Apply the desired wood preservative, preferably with a thick round brush.
- Brush evenly from top to bottom.
- Also, always paint in the direction of the grain.
- Wood preservatives must be applied in several layers.
- In between, the respective layer must be able to dry out well.
- So paint several times with an interval of several days.
Tips
When setting up the tree trunk in the garden, you should also try to avoid any contact with the ground: This means that no soil-dwelling putrefactive bacteria or fungi can penetrate the wood, and it also stays away from moisture from the earth.
