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Apple tree sheep damage - help!

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited November 2018
    :o   I'm not talking about over-stocked land being over-grazed ... I'm talking about the natural browsing habit of specific breeds of hill sheep and cattle which can be used  to sensitively manage uplands to ensure there's a diverse habitat for wildlife ... methods employed by many Wildlife Trusts  ... let's not throw babies out with bathwater

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





  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    Because the moors have been grazed for centuries the wildlife there is specific to grazed areas, it would not be the same if one removed the sheep. Much like down south, species such as the hazel dormouse need coppiced woods, we've been doing it for over 1000 years and the wildlife has adapted to live with it.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    You should see the hills of mid Wales if you want to see the bad side of hill farming. Hard packed soil and no plants over 1cm high. I could show you some amazing places up here though that have better management and the grazing is keeping the places alive.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • My sheep also ate the bark of the apple tree, now in winter when the tree is dormant does the tree die also like that 
  • Hello and welcome to the forum @ellebonelloazzD6Cd3fOm  😊 

    Im afraid that if they’ve stripped the bark most of the way around the trunk the tree will not survive. 😢 



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





  • Even if the tree is dormant at the moment 
  • Yes even if the tree is dormant. The only living part of the tree trunk is the bark or just under it. If there is no bark the tree won’t be able to get water up to the top of the tree when it need to. 
    Trees can repair small sections of bark but not if it’s all the way around the trunk.
    Nottinghamshire.
    Failure is always an option.

  • I wonder about grafting onto the tree below the damage? Seems a shame to waste such healthy rootstock...
  • Balgay.HillBalgay.Hill Posts: 1,089
    Would it be possible to cut out sections of healthy bark elsewhere to bridge the gap, much like a skin graft? It would need to be tied onto the tree. I would give it a go if it was my tree. You would need to cut straight edges on the nibbled edges to line up against the straight edges of the donor bark. Nothing to lose.
    Sunny Dundee
  • Perhaps we could see a photo of the damage? 

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





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