Buck Rub

[Buck]

I bought a five acre field that adjoins my property. I planted many maples (~6-8 feet) last spring. This fall, the deer bucks rubbed ~80% off the circumference of a four to six inch length of bark off the trees.

Originally, I thought the "Buck Rub" was 100% and talked to a tree pro and he said they would all die. ( This was on a local radio show)

I remember he was quite particular in asking me if the complete circumference was rubbed off. I said yes, only to realize later that I was wrong.

Anyone with experiences here that you could share?

 

[Highbeam]

The indians of the pacific NW used to strip no more than 1/3 of the bark from around the cedar trees. The layer between teh bark and the wood is the bloodpath for the tree. Cutting 80% of that off is like cutting off 80% of the arteries from your heart. The tree will be stunted and may die until it can regenerate. Ringing a tree will surely kill it. Guess you will wait and see.

 

[Buck]

Thanks for the input. BTW, the fellow I talked to said that if the buck-rub was 100% to cut the tree at the start of the rub and that would produce a maple shrub.

 

[Highbeam]

Ah yes, the sprouts. I though for sure I was being smart by leaving a 3 foot stump on a maple I cut down. This would give me leverage to rip the stump out when I get around to it. Well a year goes by and that stump is a huge bush of maple. I have no doubt that the bush would eventually become a tree. In that way, I suppose even ringing it doesn't guarantee a kill of the tree below the ring.

 

[DMF]

I planted 2 apple trees last spring and this fall a buck all but destroyed both of them...

Last year I lost 39 Christmas trees to deer; mostly eating them but a lot of buck rub damage as well... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[meledward23]

Ringing prevents the flow of the "life blood" of the tree up and down. The roots often survive as they have reserves and can do without for sometime.

I know a place where they have a Bradford Pear up against a building and espalier it against the structure. It looks great but about every 4 -5 years they cut it off just above the ground. If you select a few main branches it will achieve the same height in just 3 years.

If you are looking to prevent the deer, good luck. In GA Deer are Tree Growers worst enemy. Many of them have 10' Ht. Fence lines. Even then a few report dead deer on the inside as they break bones trying to jump over it.

 

[Chuck52]

I have a five foot circle of 52" fence wire around every apple, crab apple, peach, cherry, plum, Carpathian walnut, and pecan tree I've planted. I wasted time and effort planting walnut and pecan trees without protecting them. Those were inexpensive conservation department trees, but I planted about 25 of each, so there was considerable effort involved. The deer killed them all. So, when I plant a tree I want to survive, I circle it with fence for at least the first five years. I may remove the fence from the largest of my apples this year, but even then I will either protect the trunk with a barrier, or use a repellent or something. I planted a river birch about three years ago which was a 20' plus tree. I didn't figure it needed protection, but a buck did rub it this past year. I think it will be OK, because it looks as if only the bark which sheds on this species was rubbed off. Eat more deer.

Chuck

 

[scesnick]

If you are having that much trouble maybe you should call your state Dept of Natural Resources and see if you qualify for a crop damage permit. Afterall, a box of .308 rounds is a heck of alot cheaper than all those fences.

 

[MikeD74T]

Scesnick's right, if a fence won't keep deer out ,the freezer will definitely keep them in !!!

 

[DuckBuster]

Not to hijack the thread, but....
Why do people paint the base of the tree white? I've seen this a few times in Ga and now my neighbor in Florida has done it. It REALLY looks like crap, so I'm assuming it has a purpose??