damaged bark! help!

Kelley

We were transplanting a red sunset maple yesterday (about 23' tall with a 6" wide trunk) and a section of bark fell off (about 6" tall by 5" wide) exposing the creamy coloured part of the trunk. We immediately replaced it like a puzzle piece and duct taped it on. Did we do the right thing? Will the tree survive? It is very healthy otherwise. The damage represents about 50% of the trunk so it was not girdled but we are devastated and don't want to lose the tree and would appreciate any advice we can get! Thanks in advance! Kelley

Eric Frei

Yes you did the right thing.

I hope you got the bark back ont he right way around.

The tape might have to come off though, give it perhaps a month, then carefully remove. If need be cut the tape off at the edges of the wound to prevent pulling on the bark pieces that you put back and leave it on the bark pieces that cover the wound.... just remove from the rest of the stem. Often on larger trees we nail the bark back on with tacks.

Do not over water and drown the tree either. Do not fertilize, but you can add organic soil conditioners like Seasol, blood/bone etc.

Good luck.

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