North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[oowonbs@netscape.net]

I'm no expert, but large sections of missing cambium don't seem to 
repair well, if at all. That's the nutrician highway for a tree limb. 
And you have a pathway for insects and disease, that bark can repell, 
as well as a way for the limb to dry out. I believe you  could patch it 
with other cambium, but where to get large amounts and the work would 
make it worthwhile very seldomly.
I sometimes use plastic wrap cut into strips as a stretchy protective 
wrap for wounds or grafting.

Otherwise, apple branches are sometimes beaten or sliced halfway around 
a limb as a last dirtch effort to get a tree to bear.
~"I'm in danger, I'd better leave seed for survival of the species."

BillSF9c

> > Over the winter, the high snow allowed rabbits to crew on limbs of 
my> apple trees. They have removed quite a lot of bark from the top 
side of many> major branches, and white wood shows.
 - SNIP -  Is the bark along the bottom> of each branch enough to keep 
it alive? Or will it be weak and prone to rot> even if it doesn't die 
right away?> >> > thanks,> > Ginda> > eastern MA, zone 6> >