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Is my tree going to die? Anything I can do for it?

ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
in Plants
Betula ‘Snow Queen’. Before I got round to putting the guard round the trunk, the deer came and cleaned his antlers on it. 
It has been in the ground for over a year, and had catkins this spring, but it’s not growing as fast as the undamaged one we put in at the same time. The damage was caused sometime last year. 
Should I have put something over the damaged area, ( can’t think what, tree bandages? ) or just keep an eye on it?
If the picture isn’t clear enough, I can take the guard off tomorrow and take another photo.


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  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    The bark damage looks quite extensive @Ergates, but if it doesn't go all the way round, hopefully it might survive. Is the damaged area weeping at all? I don't think you could have done anything to save it.
    Fingers crossed it recovers.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    No, the damage doesn’t go all the way round, which I took as a good sign. The exposed part seems quite dry, no weeping. Don’t know if that is good or bad! It’s been like that for ages now, but I suppose if it’s going to die, it will be a slow process. It’s not a disaster if it does, just a great shame and an expensive one! Not like we are short of trees. 
  • Jac19Jac19 Posts: 496
    That's sad.  It's a "disabled" tree.  That little bit of bark (only about 1/3rd seems to be left in the most damaged part) is a bottleneck, a handicap because for nutrition going up and down, 1/3rd has to pump what the whole circumference would have done.  A traffic jam all the time.  It will always do very poorly.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited September 2021
    @Ergates Unless the wound is infected, the remaining bark will eventually cover the bare heartwood (which is the smooth surface you describe.)  As it's a young tree, this may happen quite quickly (ie within a year or three) but it doesn't always.
    The new bark will grow from the edges of the remaining bark so the exposed area of heartwood (which is dead) will get smaller and smaller over time.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I hope the offending deer is now in the freezer?
    Devon.
  • Jac19Jac19 Posts: 496
    I hope it can heal itself.  It's such a lovely tree.  Have you seen some growth to cover the wound in the past year?
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I should have added that given this species is grown for the attractive bark (which will now always bear a scar, even if it does grow back), my personal choice would be to replace it.  Given how expensive they are, I'd also move the damaged one and cut it back to the ground to see if it sends up new shoots and so become a multi-stemmed specimen.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    No way, Hostafan! I love to see the deer! And we are almost veggie, def no ‘game’!
    Thanks for all the comments, at least I know now there is nothing I can do but watch and wait. I really don’t want a multi stemmed specimen, Bob, so I’ll just leave it be for now. The garden is quite big, so it isn’t going to be a problem while it sits there. There is another healthy one not far away, plus an acacia dealbata which is doing well, so if I’m left with a gap, it’s not a disaster.
    I’m just glad there is nothing I could have done to mitigate the damage after it occurred. I did once ‘bandage’ a broken twig with that green tape florists use, and saved a small plant, but this looked like more of a major rescue operation!
    I’ll keep an eye on it, and if this forum is still working next year, I’ll post an update!
    Thanks.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree with @BobTheGardener re both things, ie cutting that one back, and getting a new one.  A shame, but the bark is beautiful on them and when it's in isolation, it's going to be very noticeable.
    They're stunning as multi stemmed trees/shrubs. There's one near me [a lovely garden altogether ] and I admire it every time I go past.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    Our original plan was to plant three of them, as we have plenty of room for them. Only put in the two so far, so I’m still inclined to wait and see how this one does.
    I haven’t seen a multistemmed version. If you have your camera next time you’re passing, could you get a snap, Fairygirl?
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