How do I repair a young tree damaged by a rutting buck?
I had a buck rub off a lot of bark on a young sweet gum tree. He rubbed off the outer bark almost a foot long and got to the inner bark in about a 5-6 inch area.
Related Discussions
GNATS - How to get rid of them?
Somehow my house and garden got tiny gnats that killed my fuchsia plant and fly everywhere. I have tried ALL the Web recommendations - soap and oil dishes, sand in th... See more
Marigolds growing! Should I pinch the buds?
My marigold plants are growing. I heard that pinching the buds until Autumn will allow them to grow without killing the plant. Is this true?
Growing garlic
Growing our first garlic, should we wait until the leaves are drying out before we pick it? Husband picked first one today along with our first potatoes.
How to keep mice out of your garden?
Hi everyone, I have mice in my garden destroying my vegetables and I have also noticed them in the barn and shed. Please can someone tell me how to prevent them from ... See more
What's the best flower/plant to grow in Texas?
I know that opinions vary, but what's your opinion?!I have great luck w Rosemary plants. Green all year long.
How do I stop tree stump from growing?
I have a gnarly old tree stump that has continued to grow from the trunk. My question is how do I stop it from sprouting all the way up the trunk. I break them off r... See more
What is the best method for killing grass around trees?
Hi, I would like to know how to kill the grass around the base of a tree without harming the tree itself. Any information is greatly appreciated, thank you.
My grandfather used to get some oil based paint to coat any places where the bark has been removed. His trees were beautiful.
Wrap the tree, here is how!
https://youtu.be/m84EWWW5B6k
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/deer/deer-rubbing-tree-bark.htm
https://bartstreeservice.com/protect-trees-deer-antler-rubbing/
Trees are capable of healing a surprising amount of damage on their own. Avoid the temptation to use a wound dressing. It may make you feel better -- like putting a Band-Aid on the wound -- but it can actually interfere with the tree's ability to heal itself. The best practice is to use a sharp knife, such as a grafting knife, to cut off jagged pieces of bark around the edge of the wound. If you can trim the wounds into an elliptical or football shape oriented vertically on the trunk, it will help the tree recover more quickly. Do not dramatically enlarge a wound to accomplish this, though. Just clean up the edges as best as you can because they will heal easier than the ragged damage left by the buck's antlers. It is possible that this buck will come back to rub on your tree again, so it is important to take steps to protect it. You should surround the tree with a sturdy fence or barrier that can keep a determined deer away from the tree trunk. A 6-foot-tall barrier of welded wire mesh, supported by 8-foot-tall rebar pounded into the ground at regular intervals around the circumference is a reliable way to keep bucks from rubbing on young trees. Another option is corrugated plastic drainpipe that has been slit along its length and placed around the trunk. You can also purchase ornamental metal grates designed for this purpose. They are more expensive but much more attractive. While deer repellents can help prevent deer browsing, they are not very effective in controlling buck rubs.
Follow EM's advice --- spot on!