Question
We have a pin oak tree (approx 8-10 years old) in a field with livestock.  Recently, the livestock has debarked the tree approx. 4' from the ground all around the tree.  Can this tree be saved?

Answer
Bark eating is seen most often during the late winter and early spring months. Chewing the bark off trees may be due to a nutrient deficiency, possibly one of the minerals such as phosphorus. However, in most cases, horses seem to chew because they like it. Wood chewing occurs in the late winter and early spring because this is the time when cool-season grasses have the lowest fiber content. Consequently, by chewing wood, the horse may be making up for some of the lack of bulk or fiber.

A way to deter livestock from chewing bark or the roots of trees is to place a fence around the tree or spray something on the tree that will deter the livestock from chewing, such as a pepper spray or a commercially available anti-chew spray. Something that is hot or spicy usually does the trick and will not affect the livestock or tree.


IF the bark is gone down to the wood all the way around the tree trunk there is a good chance the tree will die from the girdling. The leave will wilt within a week or so if this is the case. If the leaves do not the tree should survive if the chewing stops. There is not really anything that can be put on the wound to insure the tree will make it if the trunk is girdled.