Bark Loss on Magnolia - Ask Extension
We have a Magnolia tree, and we have been told that the bark damage was as a result of a deer. Is this likely culprit? More importantly, is there anyt...
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Bark Loss on Magnolia #925138
Asked February 27, 2026, 11:00 AM EST
We have a Magnolia tree, and we have been told that the bark damage was as a result of a deer. Is this likely culprit? More importantly, is there anything that I can do to help promote regrowth of the bark over this very large defect (or to cover/protect the defect)? Or, is this tree likely going to die as a result of this bark loss?
Hamilton County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi David, sorry about the tree. We sometimes have 5 or 6 deer in our yard. They pick on trees it seems. There is something about certain kinds of bark that they "enjoy" or whatever. We had a group of Norway Spruces in the back without protection and they come by every fall and ruin them. I have left them so they concentrate their attention there and leave the rest of the trees alone.
Since we live in the country and there are so many deer, we have made a cage around the trees we have planted. I use the "tot & lot" fencing. It is just 4 ft. tall, welded wire fencing that has openings about an inch by three inches. You can find it at the store, and it is sometimes on sale. I make a cylinder out of it bending the stays back to secure the ring of fence. It is really not that tall, but the deer seem to not want to get up and rub since they can't get into position properly. It is usually not a problem with just a post or stake to secure the cylinder.
When people ask me about all the trees around that I plant and should they all be fenced in, the answer lies in the plaque at the dentist's office: "Floss only the teeth you wish to keep!" In other words, put a fence around the trees you wish to keep. Usually larger trees are left alone, and I have taken a cage away too early, and they rub it the next day. You can expand the size of the cage and use another stake if it needs it.
OK, as for your tree, it might grow back the cambium and bark. I think the best thing is to keep a watch on the growth in the spring. It might need to be trimmed up around where the bark is shredded -- cut off the loose areas neatly. But for sure, I would put a small fence cylinder around it, mulch to keep the grass under control, and give it some time to recover. Maybe some water if it turns dry and also some fertilize -- read the label.
Hope this helps. Don
PS: Regrowth of the bark is usually slow on most trees and recovery depends on how far around the tree that the bark has been stripped. If it has been stripped only a third or so, then it will recover quickly. If is stripped more than a third, then it will take much longer.
Since we live in the country and there are so many deer, we have made a cage around the trees we have planted. I use the "tot & lot" fencing. It is just 4 ft. tall, welded wire fencing that has openings about an inch by three inches. You can find it at the store, and it is sometimes on sale. I make a cylinder out of it bending the stays back to secure the ring of fence. It is really not that tall, but the deer seem to not want to get up and rub since they can't get into position properly. It is usually not a problem with just a post or stake to secure the cylinder.
When people ask me about all the trees around that I plant and should they all be fenced in, the answer lies in the plaque at the dentist's office: "Floss only the teeth you wish to keep!" In other words, put a fence around the trees you wish to keep. Usually larger trees are left alone, and I have taken a cage away too early, and they rub it the next day. You can expand the size of the cage and use another stake if it needs it.
OK, as for your tree, it might grow back the cambium and bark. I think the best thing is to keep a watch on the growth in the spring. It might need to be trimmed up around where the bark is shredded -- cut off the loose areas neatly. But for sure, I would put a small fence cylinder around it, mulch to keep the grass under control, and give it some time to recover. Maybe some water if it turns dry and also some fertilize -- read the label.
Hope this helps. Don
PS: Regrowth of the bark is usually slow on most trees and recovery depends on how far around the tree that the bark has been stripped. If it has been stripped only a third or so, then it will recover quickly. If is stripped more than a third, then it will take much longer.
