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| We have 40 acres south of town where I've planted several trees over the years. One of them is a Sugar Maple planted in 2008. The location is very windy in winter (zone 4). Last winter the base of the trunk was chewed by rabbits. Only about a quarter of that area of the tree has bark. I'm just concerned that it won't recover. The foliage at least looks healthy. The other issue is that it's still staked because it just won't grow straight. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| "I planted...a Sugar Maple...in 2008." How big was/is it? "Only about a quarter of that area of the tree has bark." Are you saying that the tree was 3/4 girdled? If so, yes, that would be quite significant. "...it's still staked because it just won't grow straight." Sounds like staking is NOT THE ANSWER!!! Any chance of pictures. Without pictures, it's really hard to understand what's going on or to give specific advice on topics like this. |
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- Posted by AspenAcres 5b (My Page) on Thu, Nov 10, 11 at 16:49
| I'll probably go on the weekend and I'll get some pics. It's about 8 feet tall. The base is about 2 inches in diameter. Yes I am saying that 3/4 of the trunk is girdled. I took the stakes off but a friend of ours who is a landscaper said to leave them on another year. |
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- Posted by AspenAcres 5b (My Page) on Thu, Nov 10, 11 at 18:19
| Here is pic from the summer. I'll post a newer, better pic soon. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Sugar Maple
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| Staking is a temporary assistance until the tree roots extend out of the planted root ball. Staking actually decreases stem strength and is a long detriment to the tree. Take the stakes out....if the roots haven't extended out by now, they probably never will. If the tree falls over now, it was likely to happen anyway. As for the 3/4 girdled. It survived the summer! Protect the trunk from further damage this winter. I have seen maples with at least as much browse damage pull through and succeed. |
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- Posted by AspenAcres 5b (My Page) on Thu, Nov 10, 11 at 21:24
| I did put a guard around the tree so it shoudn't get chewed on again. Can I take the stakes off now? Winter is the windiest time of year. Is there any way I can get the trunk to straighten out? I also have a red oak that is about the same height as the maple but has a trunk diameter of only about an inch. How long should those stakes stay? (I'd post this as a different topic but it also has to do with staking). |
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| Since your tree has dropped its leaves, the wind load should be much less now anyway. Like Smivies said, if the tree's root system hasn't become established by now, it's never going to. Stakes (used to stabilize trees while the root system becomes established) aren't usually left on for more than a year even in very windy conditions. If not required, stakes are counterproductive in the first place. As to how to get your tree straightened out, I still can't tell you without more info. In the picture you posted, it looks pretty darn straight. The canopy, above where the stakes are holding, looks somewhat one-sided, but surely that's not what you are trying to correct with the stakes. |
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| Do you have deer? If so, I'd leave the stakes as that is the perfect tree for a buck to destroy by rubbing. |
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- Posted by AspenAcres 5b (My Page) on Thu, Nov 10, 11 at 22:01
| It's from the side angle that it has a bend. I don't have a pic from that side so I'll have to get one this weekend. As for being one-sided, it just looks that way with the wind. Without wind is is more balanced. I'll get a pic of the oak this weekend too. |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Fri, Nov 11, 11 at 9:07
| i think you should stop worrying about it being straight ... first.. decide how far upwards you will prune it.. you may be taking those leaning branches off in a few years.. second.. its just getting going.. and in say a decade or two ... it will put its branches where it wants them ... why are you so intent on forcing your aesthetic .. your need for straightness.. on what is basically a baby tree ... its got near 100 years to go.. and you want perfection inside 3 years.. may i suggest.. you let it do its own thing ... all you need do for the next 5 years.. is protect it from vermin ... good luck ken |
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- Posted by AspenAcres 5b (My Page) on Sat, Nov 12, 11 at 3:04
| Yes we have deer but they have only rubbed on aspens so far. The rabbits are the main problem. You're right Ken. The tree seems a bit bent now but it will probably be fine as it gets older. It's an important tree to me (like all my trees) so I want it to do well. I'll post some pics soon. |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Sat, Nov 12, 11 at 9:01
| It's an important tree to me (like all my trees) so I want it to do well. ===>>> yes .. but never forget.. its a tree.. NOT A CHILD ... so dont kill it with too much love ... i have used three stakes, in a triangle ... twined with fishing line... to keep deer away from young trees .. ken |
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- Posted by AspenAcres 5b (My Page) on Sat, Nov 12, 11 at 22:11
| I checked the trees today. The tree is a lot straighter now than it was in the spring. I've also got some pics. Look through the album. There are several pics of the maple. You'll notice the tree was once topped. The nursery did that. I hate it when they do that. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Sugar Maple Pics
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| Bark damage - Yes, that looks pretty bad. Only time will tell. The biggest things are that there needs to be enough bark left to keep the top alive and the tree needs to cover over the wound before rot sets in. Straight trunk - Looks pretty straight. I definitely don't see anything to be concerned about. Stakes/ties - Leaving the tree staked will result in a lankier, weaker-trunked tree. Previous topping - This is of not consequence to the future of your tree. |
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- Posted by AspenAcres 5b (My Page) on Fri, Nov 18, 11 at 21:56
| The top seems healthy. The rot part worries me though. It hasn't rotted so far so time will tell. There is no wind protection where it is so I think I'll leave the stakes on until spring when the wind settles down. Then I'll take the Oak's stakes off too. Thanks for all the help. |
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