Question
Hello!  We live in Cincinnati, Ohio and have a 2 year old maple in our yard.  We (stupidly) tied our dog around the tree while we were outside and she ran at full force towards something in the yard, causing the rope to tighten and in turn ripping the bark totally off the bottom of the tree.  The damaged area is the entire 3-4" circumference of the tree and about 5-6" high all around.  Have we lost our tree?
Thanks so much,
Ellie B

Answer
If the bark is off down to the wood all the way around the tree there is a good chance that the tree will die. The living part of the tree is just under the bark. There is a layer of cells called the cambium that is between the bark and the wood. If these are cut the tree can not get need water and food and the leaves will wilt and die. Maples have a thin bark and are easily damaged. About all that can be done is gently cut the loose hanging bark off the wound and spray the area with an insecticide to keep borers from attacking. Merit is a systemic insecticide that will protect the wound for several months which will be time for the tree to begin the healing process. You may want to wait about a week to see if the tree is going to live before buying the insecticide. You will be able to tell soon if the cambium has been cut by the leaves wilting and dying. It maybe that the rope just rubbed the bark and did not cut all the way around. All you can do is wait and see and learn from the experience. Sorry!