Buck damage

buckdeer1

5 year old buck +
What has produced the best results for repairing damage from rubbing.I thought I had all my trees protected.One apple tree has mainly tine gouges while another one has about a 4 inch wide by foot long rub.It didn't rub but one side of tree
 
The best results I've had are just leaving the tree to heal itself. Any time I try to cover the injury it traps moisture and makes it worse.
 
Tine gouges I'd just leave alone. With a 4"x12" larger wound I would at the very least trim away any of the shredded dead bark, leaving the perimeter of the rub with a nice clean well defined edge.
 
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Trees are tough. Bears trim and reform mine all the time, other then cutting the broken branches, the trees are on their own.
 
I've used a product called "Tree-Kote" with good results. It's a black, tarry goop that come in a metal can with an enclosed applicator brush attached to the screw lid. It also comes in a spray form like paint. I've used Tree-Kote on my trees at home when I prune a limb off with good results. I think the trees heal fine on their own, as long as bugs or rot don't get in the wound - and that's why I use the Tree-Kote, to seal the open wounds. I've never had a bad outcome from using Tree-Kote. The bark heals from the outer perimeter of the wound inward. My BIG pin oak and our home crab apple trees are my test cases - all healed nicely.

Natty's idea of cleaning-up the rough edges is smart. Cleaner wounds heal better and quicker. Less shredded areas for rot to take hold. Clean edges can begin to heal more easily, IMO. ------- FWIW.
 
I like the proactive approach; I prefer a .270 Winchester.
 
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