Children Stripped Bark on 50-Year Weeping Japanese Maple: Let It Heal Naturally

Damage Assessment

Strips ½–1½″ wide, 1–4 ft long, top of branches only, <1/3 circumference. Tree will survive if bark remains intact around >2/3 of each limb.

Treatment

• Trim loose bark edges cleanly (sharp knife).
• Do not apply wound dressing—traps moisture, kills cambium.
• Optional: grafting wax on large wounds to reduce drying.
• Let nature compartmentalize.

Outlook

Limbs with partial girdling usually heal. Full girdling = limb death. Monitor; prune dead limbs next winter.