Repairing damaged tree bark - Tree Bark Damage

Our dog ate most of the bark off the base of our apple tree the other day. Will this kill the tree? Can I save it?

Answer:
When a tree has been damaged by removing a ring of bark, the tree may die depending on how completely it was girdled. Removal of even a vertical strip of bark less than one-fourth the circumference of the tree will harm the tree, but not kill the tree. When the patch of bark is one-half or greater, the chances of tree death increase. Complete girdling (the bark removed from a band completely encircling the tree) will certainly kill the tree.

Send your gardening questions to:
Yard and Garden, ATTN: Dr. Curtis Smith
NMSU Cooperative Extension Service
9301 Indian School Road, NE, Suite 112
Albuquerque, NM 87112
Curtis W. Smith, Ph.D., is an Extension Horticulture Specialist with New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service. New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator.
Â©2011 NMSU Board of Regents