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Deer damaged young maple: can it recover?

16 years ago

We just planted a young maple tree about two weeks ago. The deer found it already and rubbed their antlers on it, taking quite a bit of bark off, probably about two thirds of the way around at its worst. The scar is about two feet from top to bottom. Is there any chance that this tree will survive, or should we just shell out now and plant another one now (and of course wrap it immediately) rather than wait for this one to slowly die.

Thanks for any suggestions.

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Comments (4)

alabamatreehugger 8b SW Alabama
16 years ago
If anything dies, it will be the area above the damage. The lower trunk and roots will still be alive. If it's not too big you can cut it off at the ground and let it resprout into another tree. I wouldn't do that until early next spring though, and make sure to use a cage around it next time.
dantm
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, the damage is on the trunk below any of the branches.

I got it and all of my other young trees caged today. Hopefully that will keep my losses from escalating. I'll see how the damaged maple looks in the spring, and if it doesn't seem to be recovering, I might just replace it then. We just transplanted it so in this case cutting it off at the ground would probably be a greater setback than just starting over with a new tree.
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Beeone
16 years ago
If the tree isn't completely girdled, it should be OK. It will develop quite a scar that should gradually disappear as the tree grows. You might lose some branches, but give it time to leaf out next year and see what you have before cutting it off. A little pruning may be all that is required.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
trees heal themselves ... but it takes a lot of time ... and some pruning ...

maples can resprout from a trunk cut at ground level .. but it takes time ... and some pruning ...

if you cant wait for it to take care of itself.. get another... but leave the original there.. as an experiment ...

i would bet in 5 years.. you will be barely able to tell them apart ....

ken

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