Question
Jim,
We planted a young Saucer Magnolia in the spring.  Two days ago the local deer had a field day on the tree.  They stripped the bark from four of the main leaders and in the process removed about half of the branches.  The question is can this tree survive a NJ winter?  Should/can anything be done to protect the exposed wood?

Answer
If the bark was not removed all the way around the trunk it should survive. I would remove any loose bark from the wound this will help the wound heal faster. The trees bark will over time grow over the exposed wood and there is no need to do anything to it. The broken limbs can be pruned off at the break. Next spring do not be surprised if the tree puts out new stems from the roots system. Let them grow and at the end of the year you can select the tallest and largest to leave and prune the others. Hardwood trees seem to with stand the deer rubbing better than evergreens.