Hi-my golden retriever chewed all the branches off my dwarf Japanese Lace Leaf Maple tree. It is basically a stick in the ground about two feet high. Is the tree a lost cause now or does it have a chance to rebound? Anyone know what I should do?
If the chewing is above the graft, your lace leaf tree will likely recover as long as you clean up the parts that were chewed off (make clean cuts with a sharp set of pruning shears). Granted, it will take some time to recover and grow into a good shape, but it is not a lost cause. Also, make sure to pinch off any new buds that start to grow underneath the graft.
Thanks so much! I am a newbie to growing trees so I am not sure what the graft would look like. I know what a graft is but will it be visible to me? I looked at it and do not see any obvious markings. It does have a small bend but it is smooth. Thanks for the help.
If it's a young tree (small diameter trunk), the graft will be a noticeably visible scar. If it's an older tree, the graft will look like an area where the bark changes color, texture or thickness (an example being the 4th and 5th pictures in the first post of this thread).
Lets see a pic if you get a chance chris, especially close up on the trunk. That can answer the question right away. Funny, dogs seem to be the only animals that leave my trees alone.
I've had small trees decimated twice by unfortunate circumstances, and both recovered well. Japanese maples can be very resilient and vigorous. Finding the graft point is important to know what will develop. My dogs left the maples alone, thank goodness, but herbs, especially anything in the mint family, were doomed.
Thanks for the info. The poor little thing is sprouting leaves! I guess it will recover but boy is it homely!
have you considered replacing the dog? Just kidding, of course. I have two golden retrievers at my home and nursery, Louise and Wilson, and they have been known to gnaw on a branch or two. It will simply give the tree character and fond memories of your dog in the years to come. Enjoy your maple regardless of how it looks now. It should recover in time.
It may grow new sprouts, but it should take at least 4 years or growing seasons to develop a reasonable tree form with selective pruning and thinning of the sprouts. Generally, the recovery growth is rather whip-like and a bit out of character.
