You have a spare tree trunk and are planning a great construction project with it? Then you should first carefully seal the wood so that it doesn't rot away within a very short time - especially in outdoor areas that are unprotected from wind and weather.
Sealing protects the log from moisture and fungus
Why sealing is so important
Wood must not be exposed to moisture under any circumstances, otherwise it will quickly begin to rot. Why is that, many a garden lover might think, my apple tree has been in the garden for 20 years and is still diligently producing apples. Well, a tree trunk is what is known as dead wood, which in nature is quickly decomposed by rotting bacteria and fungi. They prefer a rather humid 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.
What means are available to preserve the wood?
There are a number of ways you can use to preserve wood, each with their own pros and cons.
| wood preservatives | benefits | disadvantage | particularities |
|---|---|---|---|
| oil (e.g. linseed oil) | Penetrating deep into the wood, natural, ecological | linseed oil varnish in particular sticks quickly | natural-looking wood surface |
| Wax (e.g. beeswax) | Penetrating deep into the wood, natural, ecological | sticks quickly, can soften when heated | 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 wood before treatment |
Sealing a 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.
- Slightly roughen the surface with sandpaper.
- When using a glaze, a primer should be applied beforehand.
- Apply the desired wood preservative, preferably with a thick round brush.
- Stroke evenly from top to bottom.
- Also, always brush in the direction of the grain.
- Wood preservatives must be applied in several layers.
- In between, however, the respective layer must be allowed to dry thoroughly.
- So swipe several times at intervals 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 way, no soil-living rotting bacteria or fungi can penetrate the wood, and it also keeps moisture out of the ground.