Ramshorn

[Wulkowicz]

I'd like to gather some opinions and comments on Ramshorn (Ram's Horn) which is the curling in of the wall of the tree generally into an opening.

I can't find much said about it except that it's destructive.

Any thoughts on what it is; why it is: or simply what have been your observations?


Wulkowicz

 

[Acer]

No direct experience of this, but I've read that the formation occurs if occluding tissues form rapidly, perhaps as a result of painting the wound with certain wound dressings. The new tissue in-rolls, and the resulting stresses can crack the new wood. I can give a reference if you need it.

 

[murphy4trees]

Take a look.
God Bless,
Daniel

 

[TREETX]

I see that often on live oaks were severe trunk damage has occured ( car impact, etc).

 

[Greg]

I work in live oaks often and also see this a lot. I have never heard that it was harmful or that it could cause cracks. I'd like to hear more, and please post any ref material that you can.

I know that much "cavity work" is not recomended anymore, especially filling a cavity with concrete, but it looks like that would keep this type of growth from occuring..??

Greg

 

[hillbilly]

The only refernce I can find right now is on page 68 of
"Tree Pruning" by Alex Shigo.
It doesn't say much about it, but here goes:

"When woundwood forms rapidly and rolls inward - rams horn -
the wound will never seal.
Internal cracks often form as the woundwood rolls inward. Flush cuts and many types of wound dressings stimulate rapid woundwood formation and all the problems start when woundwood rolls inward."

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I remember from a recent seminar that the wound wood forms fast enough that it does not atttach to the "bare wood", sort of lifts off. the next year forms around it pushing off, this forms the raised or ribbed fisuer that does not closed, then them as the inner wood decays the woundwood rolls back inside untill it curls back on it's self.

If I remember a Mattheck seminar it can actualy be stronger untill the force of the rolled back tissue causes cracking along the ray cell wich will open up avenues for more decay.

 

[Nickrosis]

What do you think, Bob? I see Shigo mentions one of your favorite topics....tree paint.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

It's like a class full of freshmen on the first day of school.
Bob's got them shaking in their boots and thinking(not really, mine will be the first response without a bibliogaphy).

Me? I'm out of here!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Wadaya mean? I quote my remembered regularly.

 

[Wulkowicz]

Originally posted by hillbilly
The only refernce I can find right now is on page 68 of
"Tree Pruning" by Alex Shigo.
It doesn't say much about it, but here goes:

"When woundwood forms rapidly and rolls inward - rams horn -
the wound will never seal.
Internal cracks often form as the woundwood rolls inward. Flush cuts and many types of wound dressings stimulate rapid woundwood formation and all the problems start when woundwood rolls inward."

Here's another Shigo comment in the 1996 <i>Arborist News</i> in a story entitled: <i>Tree Failure Risk Evaluations: The Basics</i>

<IMG SRC="http://www.enteract.com/~bobw/ramshornon-red-maple.jpg">

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

We removed a 3' dbh tree yesterday, which was hollow and had an open wound about 6 feet long, well ramshorned. In studying the crosssection, it is apparent how the round collumns on each side of the injury that form(the ramshorns), add strength to the injured area.
At the same time these support collumns are forming, closure at the top and bottom are shrinking the wound from both directions.
A fantastic and effective defense against weakness caused by an injury.

 

[Wulkowicz]

Originally posted by Mike Maas
We removed a 3' dbh tree yesterday, which was hollow and had an open wound about 6 feet long, well ramshorned. In studying the crosssection, it is apparent how the round collumns on each side of the injury that form(the ramshorns), add strength to the injured area.

<i>At the same time these support collumns are forming, closure at the top and bottom are shrinking the wound from both directions.</i>

A fantastic and effective defense against weakness caused by an injury.

See what I mean; tree time.


Bob Wulkowicz