Question
Some of the bark on some of our new apple trees was stripped and the trunks damaged inadvertently by a weedeater.  What should we need to do to protect the trees so they do not die.  The trees are approximately 3 - 7 feet tall, 3 years old and not yet fruit bearing. Thank you

Answer
Cut the loose bark from the wound. The tree will heal over the wound by itself. Do not apply any wound dressing since this will slow the healing process down. I would mulch around the tree with not more than 3 inches deep of organic mulch not piled up on the trunk. Mulch out to about three feet.  This will keep a barrier around the tree so the weedeater "driver" will stay away.