Name: Gerard P. D.
Status: other
Age: 40s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 1999-2001
Question:
I have a small crimson king maple sapling which has had
the bark stripped from it completely around the "trunk" for about an
eight inch lenght. I have taped the exposed area and protected it from
the weather. Is there any change the sapling will survive without the
bark? This damage was caused by rabbits.
Anthony R. Brach, Ph.D.
If the cambium layer has been destroyed all the way around the trunk in any
place then the tree will not survive. It is common for rabbits to kill small
trees by girdling, and if the bark is all gone on a sapling it is most
likely girdled.
J. Elliott
Several recommendations:
While I am not a gardener, I have seen a tar-based "goop" spread onto the
exposed stumps of large branches that have been pruned. If this works, it
may also discourage your hungry rabbits.
Contact a commercial nursery, or a professional tree-care business in your
area. They may have some recommendations.
Contact a garden club in your area.
Contact the agricultural extension agent in your area. Most counties and/or
universities have one. You may try finding the web page of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture Extension Service. You can find them in the Yellow
pages, probably under "U.S. government".
Do and internet search [ I prefer www.google.com ] using terms like "tree
care" "tree preservation", etc. I suspect you will find many "hits". I'm
sure there are organizations out there dedicated to the preservation of
trees. The local chapter of the "Sierra Club", for example, may be able to
point you in the right direction.
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