Do you have a leftover tree trunk and are you planning a great building project with it? Then you should first seal the wood carefully so that it doesn't rot away within a very short time - especially in outdoor areas that are unprotected from wind and weather.
How do I seal a tree trunk?
To seal a tree trunk, remove the bark, sand the surface, apply a primer and then apply the chosen wood preservative (oil, wax, glaze or varnish) in several coats. When placing in the garden, avoid contact with soil.
Why sealing is so important
Wood must under no circumstances be exposed to moisture, otherwise it will quickly begin to rot. Some gardening enthusiasts may think why? My apple tree has been in the garden for 20 years and is still busy producing apples. Well, a tree trunk is so-called dead wood, which in nature is quickly decomposed by putrefactive 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 ensure that moisture and small organisms cannot penetrate.
What means are available to preserve the wood?
There are various means available to preserve wood, all of which have different advantages and disadvantages.
| Wood preservatives | Advantages | Disadvantages | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil (e.g. linseed oil) | penetrating deeply into the wood, natural, ecological | straight linseed oil varnish sticks quickly | natural-looking wooden surface |
| Wax (e.g. beeswax) | penetrating deeply into the wood, natural, ecological | sticks quickly, can soften when heated | for indoor use, very good for allergy sufferers |
| Lasur | contains color pigments, weather-resistant, long-term protection | covers grain, often contains solvents | previous primer makes sense |
| Paint | often colored and opaque, weather-resistant, long-term protection | covers grain, often contains solvents | Roughen the wood before treatment |
Sealing a tree trunk – this is how it works
To preserve the tree trunk, it is best to proceed as described:
- First let the wood dry thoroughly - the drier, the more durable!
- Remove the bark.
- Roughen the surface slightly with sandpaper.
- When using a glaze, a primer should be applied beforehand.
- Apply the desired wood preservative (€5.00 on Amazon), preferably with a thick round brush.
- Stroke evenly from top to bottom.
- Also, always paint in the direction of the grain.
- Wood preservatives must be applied in several layers.
- The respective layer must be able to dry thoroughly in between.
- So paint several times at intervals of several days.
Tip
When setting up the tree trunk in the garden, you should also try to avoid any contact with the earth: This way, no soil-dwelling putrefactive bacteria or fungi can penetrate the wood, and it also stays away from moisture from the earth.
