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[mauch1@aol.com]

<<I have bark damage on some young trees (apple and landscaping) done presumably by a buck 
rubbing his antlers.  None of the trees were completely girdled, but some lost lots of bark.  Should 
I be applying any specific tree dressings etc. to protect and save these trees (which were doing 
well otherwise).>> 

Preventing damage in the future:

When I was having this problem, I found two things that I 'think' worked.  Staking the trees and 
tying them to the stake, and using plastic spiral tree wraps.  Both seemed to break up the smooth
line of bare trunk that the bucks seemed to like (and perhaps the tree wraps made a noise 
surprising to them.)  Now I can't vouch that these suggestions really work w/out a controlled test, 
but it seemed to work for me.  The tree wraps should also prevent/limit further damage from rabbits and voles.

 

Helping the damaged area:

Generally you don't want to do anything.  From what I've read and learned over the
 years, tree dressings are generally detrimental.  One you said none of the trees were 
completely girdled - are you sure you have a contiguous line of bark from the soil to 
above the damaged area?  Those that were damaged with a break in the contiguous line 
will be the ones that will need your most attention and are most likely to be lost.  

If the damage is recent, you can try wrapping the trunk temporarily with saran wrap.  
This may save some cambium that is on the trunk, allowing it to regenerate.  But I 
wouldn't leave it on for more that a few weeks as I would be concerned about mold 
developing under the wrap.

You may want to fertilize them come spring and watch for drought conditions.  I would 
expect some reduction of growth for several years and it will take quite a while for the
damaged area to heal over. 

Chris Mauchline
SE PA, zone 6
40° 5' N 75° 51'W
~650 ft elevation