Question
I have a mature weeping Japanese Red Maple (approximately 50 years old) that some children have been into, and stripped bark from several branches.  The stripping is between 1/2 inch and 1 1/2 inches wide, and anywhere from 1 inch to 4 feet long, and involves less than 1/3 of the bark around the branch.  The stripping is only on the top of the branches, like they were "climbing" the tree (which is only about 7 feet tall).  I would like to know how I can treat the limbs to allow them to heal. I'm optimistic that the tree can be saved, even if it means losing one or two major branches.  But I'd like to save those branches, obviously.  
Many thanks for any help you can provide.


Answer
I would remove any loose bark from around the wounds and let the tree heal by itself. You could apply grafting wax to the wound and this may keep it from drying out . Do not use wound dressing this will slow the healing process by killing some of the cells around the wound. As long as the bark is not removed from all the way around the limb the limbs should heal and be ok.