Japanese maple sapling bark damage

[Rick Goodman]

I recently planted a 4 foot Japanese Maple sapling. It's been in the ground about 3 weeks and seems to be doing well. A good bit of new growth! I went out this morning and found that something has nibbled on the bark right at the base. The tree is about 3/4" in diameter and the damage is about 25% around the bark at the base and about 2 inches high. I have made a shield using 2 feet of PVC pipe that now protects the tree. Will it benefit the damage if I seal it with electrical tape wrapping it around the damage? Thanks, Rick Goodman

 

[Woodanhor]

Probably should be just left alone to heal
Any pictures might help

 

[Rick Goodman]

Thank you for the really fast response. This is my first try at planting a tree.

 

[Woodanhor]

Looks not to bad for injury

Youll want to keep the mulch from being piled or on the trunk

Also it's important not to plant to deep or mulch to deep the root flare needs to be above final soil level

 

[clint53]

Seal it with Howard Feed-N-Wax. It works well for my tree wounds to keep out moisture and insects. Apply spring, summer and fall until it's healed.

 

[Rick Goodman]

Looks not to bad for injury

Youll want to keep the mulch from being piled or on the trunk

Also it's important not to plant to deep or mulch to deep the root flare needs to be above final soil level

Thanks for the advice ... I am not letting the mulch touch the trunk at all. It is protected by the PVC pipe, The top of the root ball is just at the surface.

 

[Rick Goodman]

Seal it with Howard Feed-N-Wax. It works well for my tree wounds to keep out moisture and insects. Apply spring, summer and fall until it's healed.

Thank you! They have it in stock at Lowes ... will be on the way there is about 15 minutes.

 

[clint53]

Thank you! They have it in stock at Lowes ... will be on the way there is about 15 minutes.

Ubetchu. I've been using it for years. It has never failed me. You can put it on once a month if you like.
Watch the ants run.