Patch tree bark damage

When a tree has been damaged by removing a ring of bark, the tree may die depending on how completely it was girdled. Removal of even a vertical strip of bark less than one-fourth the circumference of the tree will harm the tree, but not kill the tree. When the patch of bark is one-half or greater, the chances of tree death increase. Complete girdling the bark removed from a band completely encircling the tree will certainly kill the tree.

The reason for damage due to girdling is that the phloem layer of tissue just below the bark is responsible for carrying food produced in the leaves by photosynthesis to the roots. Without this food, the roots ultimately die and cease sending water and minerals to the leaves. Then the leaves die. As you can see from this process, there is a delay period before the roots and top dies.

There are some stored foods in the roots and lower trunk that allow the roots to continue functioning for a little while. This delay gives you time in which you can try "repair grafting". Don't wait any longer because the roots will soon run out of food.

Repair grafting, also known as bridge grafting, provides a bridge across the damaged area. This will partially restore some transport of foods to the roots.

If this bridge can carry enough food across the wound, the roots will survive and continue sending water and minerals through deeper tissues to the leaves. The leaves will then manufacture food that permits the tree to develop new tissues to close over the wound and restore normal plant processes. To bridge the graft, first clean the wound by removing sharp edges and any bark that is pulled loose from the trunk.

Then remove some healthy branches or twigs from the same tree. These should be about thumb size in diameter or smaller if the tree is small and one to three inches longer than the width of the wound on the trunk. Trim one side of each end to flatten it so it will lie flat against the trunk of the tree.

Proper care of trees should thus be taken. Sometimes the bark of the tree gets accidentally injured by simple activities like gardening through powerful equipment. However, if the damage is repaired as soon as the accident happens, there are the chances that your tree will possibly survive. It will replenish its bark within a year or two and the spot of initial injury will not be visible.

Certain types of damage are likely to be fixed easily, while some will not be easily fixed. Moreover, larger trees having deeper layers of tissue are actually irreparable. Yet there are certain things you can do when your tree is negatively affected. Scissors, blade or a sharp knife are the tools required in the process of repairing the damaged bark of the tree. Find that portion of the tree that is severely damaged to begin repairs.

Retrieve the cut-out portion, take some duct tape and fix that piece to the tree by using the duct tape. Strap more duct tape around the tree to ensure perfect fixing of the portion that came out. This should be kept in this way at least for three months and not much longer as the duct tape can start damaging the existing tree bark.

This procedure requires more care during rainy reasons. It there is no cut out portion, then you only need to nurture the wound to incite rapid healing. Just refine the area using a knife or blade, depending upon the damaged part. Get rid of all the jagged pieces. Construct an eye-like shape on the damaged area with the narrow top and bottom part, and wider middle part.