GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post - Bark eaten off apple tree

Frank · 16-03-2010, 10:00 PM posted to rec.gardens

On 3/16/2010 4:53 PM, Una wrote:
wrote:
something (rabbits we suspect) has eaten the bark off 6-8 inches up
from the ground. Is there any hope for this tree?

Depends how far around the tree the cambium is missing. If it has been
stripped all the way around, there is no hope. Cambium is the inner
bark that carries water and nutrients between the roots and the crown.

If you cut down the tree you may get root suckers but unless you are
completely sure the tree grew on its own roots (was not grafted), you
probably should not cultivate the suckers. The root stock rarely
produces satisfactory fruit.

Una

That would be my advice, too. I had rabbits do in an almond tree and
sucker from root stock was a not, too good peach. Finally cut it down.
Rabbits will do this when snow piles up and there is nothing else to eat.