Rub Damage. Should I bridge graft?

[Tap]

Hello.
There's a crab apple on my place that I just noticed this year. It just appeared. I didn't plant it and I have no idea what strain it is, maybe a Dolgo?? It was loaded with beautiful red apples that were pretty tasty. They reminded me of a Dolgo that I have growing 80 yards away.
I have a hunch that this tree has superior genetics and I was very excited about it.
However, I didn't cage it and, wouldn't you know it...it got rubbed in November. I'd estimate that about 60% of the cambium was damaged. I'm wondering what I should do about it. There are a couple sprouts below the damage. I'm wondering if I should make my 1st attempt at grafting with a bridge graft. Or should I just seal the damage with something.
I have some photos to post but I can't seem to find out what the limit is for file size.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Bowsnbucks]

I'm not experienced with DAMAGE to crabapples or apples, but I've had very good success with Tree-Kote pruning and wound sealer on various trees. It heals the wounds from pruning and scraping-type damage very well over a couple years. If you try that - be sure to cage it to give the tree a chance to heal & prevent future damage.

 

[aerospacefarmer]

No worries of only 60 % rubbed. If it was 100% damaged it would be a problem. Coating it will help prevent disease but the tree should be fine. Make sure you cage it now I have had 4 or 5 trees with over 50 % rub damage and they are doing amazing now

 

[John-W-WI]

No worries of only 60 % rubbed. If it was 100% damaged it would be a problem. Coating it will help prevent disease but the tree should be fine. Make sure you cage it now I have had 4 or 5 trees with over 50 % rub damage and they are doing amazing now

I agree. At 60% you should be fine. Just protect it and let it heal. A young tree with a small diameter will close that "gap" right back up in no time.

-John

 

[Tap]

Thanks for the replies.
BTW, what is the kb limit on file size for posting pics on this forum?

 

[John-W-WI]

Thanks for the replies.
BTW, what is the kb limit on file size for posting pics on this forum?

Up until right now the limit has been 1024 KB

I just bumped it to 8000 KB

You can have up to 10 attachments per message.

Hope that helps,

-John