Help! Heavy squirrel damage to Japanese Maple
V Carr (6b/MO)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (9)
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoV Carr (6b/MO) thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)Related Discussions
How do I help this Japanese Maple survive winter damage?
Comments (2)Don't do anything until fall. You may continue to be surprised. Wait and see to what extent it recovers. Before the deciduous leaf drop, you will know what is alive. You could gently cut into the cambian bark layer also to look for green. Then prune back all the dead growth. You will need to train a new central leader to get back your height from one of the most vertical new branches. It can take years to reconstruct a lace leaf JM since they are relatively slow growers. I would feed it lightly to help. the recovery with an acid fertilizer unless you native soil is acid already....See MoreJapanese Maple sudden damage
Comments (5)Our Japanese maple is approximately five years old. I have always cut our grass, but this year hired my neighbor, "a landscaper", who stripped about 1/2 the bark around the trunk using a weed whacker (FTLOG). Over the last couple of months, there has been even more loss, so total loss is a 2-3" tall x 75% circumferential band of gored trunk. First one major branch, now all over, the leaves are curling and browning at the tips. The leaves are not the right color for this time of year. I left it alone thinking I would invite disease by bandaging, but now I think it's failing. Any suggestions? I am very upset. I warned him about this, but he did it anyway. This was a beautiful young tree, now it appears to be losing its struggle to survive....See MoreSquirrel eating seeds off my Japanese maple
Comments (2)I would be more worried in the spring, when squirrels will sometimes eat the new buds as they start to grow. Evidently they're packed with sugar at that time, and the squirrels need that since they're having their babies at that time of year. They can decimate a JM by eating all the buds off it. BB gun may be best option at that point! K4...See MoreStorm damage to Japanese Maple tree
Comments (15)Thyme2dig, don't take my comments personally. They are only meant to address your proposal. And, IMO, using hose clamps to attempt to "fix" a broken branch or trunk is completely misguided and has a near-zero chance of working long-term. I hope it works (continues to work) for your tree, but the procedure flies in the face of reason if you consider how trees grow. The wood inside woody plants is dead. It will never every grow back together no matter how you clamp the split together. The ONLY way that the tree has to bind itself back together is if new wood is used to encapsulate the break. For this to have any chance of working on Lyssa's tree, it would require years and years of growth and a significant increase in trunk diameter. As the trunk grows in diameter, the crown of the tree would get larger and heavier. Even in an ideal situation, the area of the break will ALWAYS be much weaker than the rest of the trunk. As the crown grows, more and more stress will be placed on the broken area and chances of failure will increase. When we consider the fact that the trunk will have to put on a significant amount of girth, the deficiency of the hose clamp becomes apparent. If the clamp is tight enough to support the break, circulation in the trees trunk will be cut off and further growth will be impossible. If the clamp is loosened enough to allow growth to occur, it will not sufficiently lock the two sides in place for the outer most (not wood) layers of the trunk to fuse. Also, a loose clamp will likely cause further damage as the tree is moved by wind, rain, pets, etc. Like everyone else above, I think pruning or replacement are the best solutions. I STRONGLY do not suggest trying to save the top of this tree, but, if one was determined to try, there are MUCH better ways to go about it than using hose clamps....See MoreV Carr (6b/MO)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years agoV Carr (6b/MO)
5 years agoLynn G
3 years agoHU-298463511
2 years agoZachary Riley
11 months agolast modified: 11 months ago
Related Stories
TREES11 Japanese Maples for Breathtaking Color and Form
With such a wide range to choose from, there’s a beautiful Japanese maple to suit almost any setting
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES12 Japanese Maples for a Sunny Garden
The right maple in the right place shines in hot summer sun
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES13 Japanese Maples for Shade
A surprising variety of these understory trees is waiting to make a statement in your shade garden
Full StoryWINTER GARDENINGHow to Help Your Trees Weather a Storm
Seeing trees safely through winter storms means choosing the right species, siting them carefully and paying attention during the tempests
Full StoryDISASTER PREP & RECOVERYHurricane Harvey: How You Can Help
Want to donate or volunteer to aid victims of the storm? Here are groups assisting with disaster relief and recovery
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Twister Damage Sparks a Whole Ranch Remodel
A Dallas couple transforms their traditional rambler into a bright, family-centered haven after a tornado
Full StoryMOVINGRelocating Help: 8 Tips for a Happier Long-Distance Move
Trash bags, houseplants and a good cry all have their role when it comes to this major life change
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNPatio of the Week: Rustic, Modern and Japanese-Inspired
A landscape designer found on Houzz outfitted this cozy space with a fireplace, a gas fire pit and an outdoor kitchen
Full StorySELLING YOUR HOUSEHelp for Selling Your Home Faster — and Maybe for More
Prep your home properly before you put it on the market. Learn what tasks are worth the money and the best pros for the jobs
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNGreat Design Plant: Vine Maple
Exciting year-round color and adaptability make this highly ornamental native small tree a top choice for home gardens
Full Story
rockwhisperer OK zone 6A