Topic: will fruit tree bark regenerate after rabbits?

[sawfish]

I have an apple and a pear tree which now only have a strip of bark up one side of their trunks because of rabbits. They survived last year and gave me some fruit. I'm just wondering if the bark will grow back round the trunk or if there will always just be a vertical strip?

[saddad]

Whenever I've caught some with the strimmer it never grew back...  :-X

[goodlife]

Hmm..providing there is not too much damage..some if most of it should grow over..just like you see on branches when one is cut off the wound grows over.
But it is slow process and will take few years.
Actually de-barking is one method that can be used to get unwilling tree to fruit.
normally it is done by cutting 1 inch wide ring of bark off by leaving still some amount attached..so it is not fully cut around.
But that is always the last resort as it is quite stressful and risky to the trees health.
So rabbits have done some 'natural' fruit forcing for you ;)
It probably would be good idea to put tree quards on for next winter..if the little bleeders go and schew the rest of the bark off then your tree is truly had it.

[goodlife]

Just had a look at my fruit book about bark ringing..
it's been done by taking 1/2" strip off.. :-X
Anyway..it says.."bind some insulating tape around the wound to stop it drying out and to assist healing. Seal the wound completely but do not poke the tape in so that it adheres to the cut surface. Remove it when scar tissue begins to form."
If yours is larger area, perharps you could use some plastic wrap around the trunk and tie it with string on both sides of the wound.

[goodlife]

Oh..and.."more ragged the damaged edges the bark has, slower the healing"
..so it maybe a good idea just 'run' sharp and clean knife over the edges to tidy it up and then 'bag it up'  ;)

[Robert_Brenchley]

I've seen trees partly debarked by motor vehicles, and they do grow back. Don't worry too much, but put guards on (I'm assuming it's a young tree) in case of further trouble next winter.

[landimad]

After you have protected the tree trunk with tape, I would put up a collar of chicken wire around the base to keep the blighters away.

[sawfish]

thanks folks.