Damage to trees by deer

United Kingdom

I recently planted 2 x appled trees and 1 x pear tree on my allotment (bought as presents).They are obviously very young. Probably 5 cm diameter max. It seems that deer have taken a liking to them (probably monk jacks) and eaten the bark off all the way round and up and the trunk (2 feet in height). Is there anything I can do to repair these? What can I do? Is it a lost cause? Are they dead? Any advice would be welcomed. Many thanks. Mike

27 Dec, 2008

Featured on:
apples
pears

Answers

Sid

Hi Mike. Sadly, if the bark has been stripped in a complete ring around the trunks, then the trees are said to be ring-barked and unfortunately will not recover. Even if they have not removed the bark from a complete circle but have removed large parts, this will allow decay to entre the trees and they might struggle on for a few years but will eventually succum.

If you plant trees again, get yourself some deer guards - they're a larger version of rabbit guard and consist of a stout plastic tube that encases the trunk. They don't look pretty, but they do work. Good luck. Sid.

27 Dec, 2008