Unpopular opinion: stop recommending tree paint on every pruning cut

I heard a guy at the local supply shop in Portland tell a homeowner they had to paint every oak cut to prevent oak wilt. That just aint true for most situations. Ive been doing this 12 years and tree paint can actually trap moisture and rot behind it. The only time I use anything is for oaks in high risk zones during active wilt season, and even then I keep it thin. Pruning cuts seal on their own if you make clean cuts at the right time. Has anyone else stopped using paint altogether unless its truly needed?

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the_sean13d ago

...and honestly I read a study a few years back from some university ag extension that basically said the same thing, that sealing compounds do more harm than good in most cases. I think the whole tree paint thing is leftover from like the 70s and 80s before we knew better about how trees heal. The only time Ive seen it actually matter is with those real sensitive species in specific regions, like you said with oak wilt. Otherwise I just tell people to make sure their cuts are smooth and angled right so water dont sit on them. Its hard to break old habits though, my dad still paints every cut he makes and I just let him do his thing.