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Fruit & Orchards

bark eaten of young trees

grant_n_georgia

12 years ago

I got some fruit trees right before thanksgiving. They are apple and peach trees, I have not put them in the ground yet. My goats got out about a week ago and I didn't bother with putting them back in there area. I put the trees in the chicken pen, I'm letting them free range,where I thought the would be ok. I was outside a little bit ago and the goats have pushed the chicken wire down and ate the bark and ends of the branchs off. They have plenty of hay, feed and all kinds of other stuff to eat but they went for the trees in the pen. 300+ acres to roam and brouse and they do this (They also got my small fig trees I had in there but they are tiny and the just ate the tops off, im sure they will be ok)

My question is will the peach and apple trees recover from having there bark eaten off? There about 6-7 feet tall

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Comments (8)

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
12 years ago
It depends on whether they ate the bark off all around the trunk and cut off the cambium layer completely. Al
grant_n_georgia
Original Author
12 years ago
Yes they ate all the bark off around the trunk all the way up the trees
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grant_n_georgia
Original Author
12 years ago
Pic of tree

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:54509}}
tcstoehr
12 years ago
From what I can see, the tree in the foreground looks easily survivable. The mangled twig at the left appears to be a goner. The others are in the category of "time will tell".
And actually, I wouldn't be surprised if the one on the left also lived, they can be surprising that way.
gator_rider2
12 years ago
I think I'd plant everyone those trees best thing is to do not anything to bark on trees let nature make all repairs first flush growth last about 45 days shouldbe big improvement after first flush. I saw alot wrost damage on deer rub in fall trees do find next year.
toddfiala
12 years ago
I had very bad deer rub damage in the past, probably similar to what gator mentioned. If the canopy dies, there is still a chance that a new branch might sprout above the graft and it will be true to the variety you have. The damage will set your trees back, but there is hope, so just have patience. Good luck!

Todd
oregonwoodsmoke
12 years ago
Goats really love fruit trees and unless you figure out a way to keep the goats away from the trees 100% of the time, you will never have any fruit trees.

Plant and see what happens, but I also suggest that you buy yourself a couple of new trees so you don't lose the entire year if those die.
mwebb_sortispublishing_com
11 years ago
My goats just ate the bard from my young cottonwood trees. At least one of them has the bard gone all the way around the trunk. is there something I can put on the tree to help it survive?

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