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Apple tree sheep damage - help!

AdstidAdstid Posts: 78
in Problem solving
Help! Our farmer neighbour recently asked if he could put some sheep in our - well, I don't know what to call it - "arboretum area". The idea was they would graze the grass and wildflowers down and save us having to get the big brush cutter in there. But they have caused absolute carnage. Ignored the grass and browsed everything up to shoulder height. And then, worst by far, today I've seen that overnight they've completely stripped the bark off this beautiful old apple tree. The sheep are being moved out asap but is there anything I can do to give my poor apple tree a chance of recovery? Before you ask, yes the damage extends all round the trunk and goes horribly deep!

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  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    If they have removed the bark all the way around, the tree will die.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited November 2018
    Some sheep can be as bad as goats for that sort of thing.  There are specific breeds of sheep which have the right temperament for grazing in an orchard and not damaging trees ... Southdowns are the best for the purpose ... many other breeds are by nature more browsers than grazers ... looks like you (and the farmer) have learned the hard way.  What a shame. :(   Afraid the tree's a goner.

    http://www.earthsongorchard.com/orchardsheep.html    "... Our Babydoll Southdowns with their small, stocky stature and short legs, don't reach very high when they nibble on leaves, and they don't have the predisposition to gnaw on bark. They clean up our downed apples—thereby helping to control damaging insects that winter over in the decaying fruit—add their manure to the earth, and go a long way to eliminating the need for orchard mowing...."


    When we had a smallholding we kept a small flock of pedigree Southdowns ... love them. <3

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • AdstidAdstid Posts: 78
    Yes, I guess there's no point kidding myself, it's pretty catastrophic damage! 
  • treehugger80treehugger80 Posts: 1,923
    edited November 2018
    they've not only removed the bark, it looks like they've started digging into the wood underneath!, that unfortunately is an ex-apple tree, well the top bit is, it'll probably re shoot from the base next year, i can't see a graft so with some pruning (and about 10 years) you could get your tree back,
    depends how mush you liked the apples on it?
    as replacing it would most likely be quicker to get an apple crop
    next time ask to a flock of geese, trim the grass lovely, remove all the nasty beasties that do damage like winter moth and you get a grass fed xmas dinner! and most importantly minimal tree damage (they will nip the low hanging shoots)
  • AdstidAdstid Posts: 78
    Thanks, everyone - I've learned my lesson that's for sure! Spending the next few hours till the farmer gets here defending my quince tree armed with a rake! The apples were decent cookers, but the quince would be a devastating loss! 
  • MossbankMossbank Posts: 16
    My sympathy for the loss of your tree, but looking at the photo there seems very little of anything green to graze on the ground. 
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    I think he might owe you some lamb :p
  • AdstidAdstid Posts: 78
    Two acres for ten sheep, plenty of grass Mossbank. They are not starving.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    pansyface said:
    Applewood makes wonderful firewood.
    and the sawdust is great in the smoker. It's really recommended for smoking lamb... just saying o:)
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • MossbankMossbank Posts: 16
    I didn't mean to imply the sheep were starving, no offence intended.
    It must be the light in your first photo, in the second one the grass looks much greener, and shorter.
    Possibly the sheep obtain minerals from certain tree barks?
    Hope the other trees are ok.

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