Biodynamic tree paste

Soon we will be entering winter, and it’s time to think about making and applying tree paste to deciduous, pruned and exhausted trees. I love tree paste because, not only does it do wonders for the health of trees, but it also practically demonstrates the wisdom of Rudolf Steiner’s concept of the trunk of a tree being  likened to an elongated mound of earth, upon which plants (leaves) grow:

[T]here is an intimate relationship between what is within the contours of a plant, and the soil surrounding the plant. It is not at all true that life stops at the plant’s perimeter. Life as such continues on, namely from the roots of the plant into the soil, and for many plants there is no sharp dividing line between  life inside them and the life in their surroundings. Soil that is permeated with humus like substances in the processes of decomposition, actually contains living ether … something etheric and alive, this means it is on the way to becoming a kind of plant sheathing. It  just doesn’t go as far as to become the kind of sheathing that draws itself into the bark of a tree.

- Rudolf Steiner, Spiritual Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture, Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association, 1993

 Tree paste nourishes the tree through its bark and cambium (the ever growing layer under the bark), so it is applied to the bark of trees rather than via the soil.  Tree paste seals and heals pruning wounds,  fills crevices where pests can over-winter and it is also highly effective in ridding trees of scale infestations.

Making tree paste

There are a number of recipes for tree paste. Here is the original simple recipe for tree paste that can easily be made at home:

4 parts cow manure (not fresh dung)

2 parts silica sand or diatomaceous earth

3 parts potting clay or bentonite

Enough stirred cow horn manure (500), or very dilute liquid manure, or plain rainwater to make a sloppy paste

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia makes and sells an excellent tree paste with extras such as biodynamic nettle tea, manure concentrate and seaweed concentrate. This is available to BAA members and non-members.

Applying tree paste

Remove any loose bark, moss, lichen and so on from the tree trunk. Apply the paste to the bark with a large paintbrush. Go as high as possible.

Note:  Commercial farms and orchards find it more practical to spray tree paste, but to do this you need to strain the paste, use diatomaceous earth rather than sand, and use a very coarse spray nozzle. But really, don’t try this at home if you don’t have a huge number of trees that you need to treat.

When to apply tree paste

Winter is tree paste time. Apply it after pruning and before bud-burst. Choose a descending moon time to help stimulate growth and heal pruning wounds.

We will have a practical tree paste demonstration video when it is the right time to apply. Until then, stay tuned.