How to Repair Tree Bark Damage From Deer

If you’ve ever ventured into your backyard and noticed massive gouges on the trees, you’ve experienced the effects of deer activities. Being aware of how to repair tree bark damage from deer is vital to protecting your trees from permanent harm. Deer, particularly during winter, scrape their antlers on the tree’s trunks or gnaw on the bark, causing wounds which can impede growth and even endanger the tree if not treated.

The trees like arborvitae (including Green Giant arborvitae) are particularly susceptible. Gardeners often ask, “Do deer eat arborvitae shrubs? “–and the answer is a yes. Deer love that soft bark, as well as leaves attractive, which is why taking precautions important.

Why Do Deer Damage Tree Bark?

Trees are the most commonly damaged by deer by two methods:

1. Rubbing Bucks scrape their antlers on trunks to mark their territory and then remove velvet.
2. Browsing Deer chew bark, particularly in winter, when food is in short supply.

Trees that are young and smooth-barked (like arborvitae and fruit trees) are at greatest risk. If you’ve noticed a stripped bark at the base now is the time to act.

How to Repair Tree Bark Damage from Deer?

1. Assess the Extent of the Damage

Some injuries are not fatal. In the event that less than percent of the bark is taken away, then the tree may probably regenerate by itself. For more extensive or deeper damage intervention is required.

2. Clean the Wound

Remove any bark or other debris using the help of a sharp knife. Do not cut into healthy tissue, but smooth the edges to aid in helping the tree to heal naturally.

3. Help to promote healing with an Assisted Bridge Graft (For Extreme Cases)

If the injury encircles the tree’s trunk (girdling) it will stop nutrient flow and the tree dies. A bridge transplant connects healthy branches above and below the injury, thereby acting as bypass. Here’s how:

• Cut thin, small branch from a tree.
• Place them in the healthy bark, above but below.
• Use grafting tape to secure and then monitor growth.

4. Apply a Protective Sealant (Optional)

The best way to heal trees is left to themselves, a thin layer of dressings for tree wounds will help prevent the spread of diseases and pests. Avoid using thick coatings since they could hinder healing and trap moisture.

5. Guard the tree from Future Damage

After repair, you can prevent recurrence attacks by using:

• Tree protects (plastic and mesh wraps that are wrapped around the tree’s trunk).
• Repellants for deer (sprays that have strong smells such as garlic or urine of predators).
• Fencing (at minimum 8 feet tall, to discourage leaping).

Do Deer Eat Arborvitae? Protecting Vulnerable Trees

As many homeowners are concerned, “Do deer eat Green Giant arborvitae? “–the fact is that even varieties that are deer resistant aren’t entirely safe during harsh winters. To keep them safe:

• Wrap shrubs with burlap in winter.
• Plants that are deer resistant to create barrier plants (like boxwood or the holly).
• Use motion-activated sprinklers to deter deer.

Long-Term Prevention Strategies

Repairing damage is only one aspect of the fighting. To keep deer at bay:

• Plant species that are deer-resistant (e.g., pine, spruce, and cedar).
• The repellents are rotated so that deer do not get used to a single scent.
• Maintain a neat landscape–overgrown areas draw deer looking for shelter.

Conclusion

Knowing how to fix damage to the bark of your tree caused by deer can help save the trees in your yard and enhance the beauty of your landscape. If it’s an arborvitae that is prized or a fruit tree that is just beginning to grow swift actions and preventive measures can are the key to success. Through understanding the behavior of deer and applying the appropriate techniques to ensure that your trees’ growth for the years to take.

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