Yoshino cherry tree problem - Ask Extension
Can you tell me what is wrong with my ornamental cherry tree? It has been healthy and growing well. A deer took a bite out of the trunk a year ago.
Knowledgebase
Yoshino cherry tree problem #874789
Asked June 26, 2024, 12:01 PM EDT
Can you tell me what is wrong with my ornamental cherry tree? It has been healthy and growing well. A deer took a bite out of the trunk a year ago.
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
It looks like the old deer damage (antler rubbing, usually, not chewing when it's on bark) is sealing over at its own pace, which is normal. Nothing can be done to speed-up the process, though since it looks like the grass is growing close to the trunk, we do recommend removing it for a greater distance around the trunk and mulching instead. If the trunk bark is damaged by mower injury or weed-whacker hits, that type of injury can be serious, untreatable, and potentially fatal to a tree. (As can more antler rubbing, so we suggest protecting the tree with wire caging unless the yard is now fenced to keep deer out.) Other than just monitoring it for watering needs as we enter this period of drought, nothing else needs to be done at this point.
Miri
Miri
