Bridge grafting

[Arob]

Recently took down a large beech which had major lean, basal cavity and decay, and heavy lean over car park and towards houses, also turned out to have honey fungus.

 

Anyway on same site there are loads of mature trees with no signs of ill-health other than serious bark damage and loss at low levels, not sure of cause, owners happy to leave as much lower risk (likely targets dry-stone walls/ fields, sheep), was recently reading about bridge grafting on fruit trees and wonder if anyone has any experience of this and knows whether it may be applied in an example such as this to rejoin cambium either side of wound?

 

Unfortunately I haven't got great representative pics, this one is much farther gone than most...

 

Also, are there any suggetions on possible causes - I presume mammal damage but can't do much to substantiate.

 

Thanks.

[Dean Lofthouse]

Damage normally cause by grazing animals, ie Horses

[Arob]

Thanks Dean, we suggested could have been deer, here's a link to some info on bridge grafting, appears to have been developed for use in orchards, but I wonder if it could be applied to support veteran trees.

If you look at this http://www.arbtalk.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1700&page=2 I presume that this occured naturally with adjacent branches self-grafting, I wonder if it could be done with a little human help, and with what success? Perhaps only one way to find out?

[David oakman]

I get similar on cricket bat willows claw marks running down the base badgers they sharpen their claws:thumbdown:

[Paul Smith]

Thanks Dean, we suggested could have been deer,

 

Deer would have to be very hungry to do this. Larger species, Red,Sika, Fallow will do this if there is no other food! From the sound of the enviroment thee would be plenty of other food available. What species are in the area?

 

I would suggest the damage is done by cattle or as Dean says horses or sheep.

[Arob]

Thanks deer man, afraid I'm not too familiar with my deer species so unsure what may live in that area.

It's a very open rural area but these strike me as rather historic, owners keep horses but as it's fenced now they can't get near these trees - but in the past maybe?

 

Thanks again, if I get time I might see if I can go back, they've got about 50 decent sized trees and many have similar damage, would also be interesting to see if I can spot any fungi.