Brandywine Red Maple - will it recover - Ask Extension
About 3-1/2 years ago I planted this Red Maple. Within a couple of weeks, deer had peeled the bark off one side of the tree. I planted a second one at...
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Brandywine Red Maple - will it recover #876213
Asked July 07, 2024, 4:34 PM EDT
About 3-1/2 years ago I planted this Red Maple. Within a couple of weeks, deer had peeled the bark off one side of the tree. I planted a second one at the same time and the deer also damaged it and it is definitely dying. A company I use for removing trees advised me that the tree I have photographed will not recover and will eventually die. Despite this it continues to grow. I’m debating on whether to go ahead and replace it or not. The tree is planted about 25’ from the shoreline of a creek and occasionally exposed to brackish water during very high tides. Any advice you can provide is appreciated.
Talbot County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi, Christopher,
The survival of a tree following deer rubbing depends on whether the damage to the bark goes all the way around the trunk. If the bark was removed all the way around this is called girdling and will eventually kill the tree, since the tree now has no way to get nutrients past that spot in the tree. If the damage is up to 25% of the circumference of the tree, nothing needs to be done. If the damage is between 25% to50%, as seems to be the case as seen in your images, clean the barkless areas carefully with water and mild soap to remove pathogens. Then carefully cut back any ragged edges. As the tree is healing, make sure the tree remains well watered, and mulch around the tree to help with moisture retention and provide nutrients. Click here to read about proper mulching.
We have helpful information about preventing deer damage on our fact sheet.
Thank you for your question.
Barbara
The survival of a tree following deer rubbing depends on whether the damage to the bark goes all the way around the trunk. If the bark was removed all the way around this is called girdling and will eventually kill the tree, since the tree now has no way to get nutrients past that spot in the tree. If the damage is up to 25% of the circumference of the tree, nothing needs to be done. If the damage is between 25% to50%, as seems to be the case as seen in your images, clean the barkless areas carefully with water and mild soap to remove pathogens. Then carefully cut back any ragged edges. As the tree is healing, make sure the tree remains well watered, and mulch around the tree to help with moisture retention and provide nutrients. Click here to read about proper mulching.
We have helpful information about preventing deer damage on our fact sheet.
Thank you for your question.
Barbara
