Question
We have a Maple Tree that is less than 3 years old. The tree looked sickly but I couldn't figure out what was wrong with it.  Recently I saw some shoots coming up by the trunk and when I went to investigate those , I noticed the weedwacker had damaged the trunk all around the trunk. Can this tree survive or is it a goner?  It has put out a few tiny new leaves but a couple of branches are bare now.  Should I just remove it or hope it will recuperate?
Thanks.  

Answer
If the bark was cut all the way around the trunk then it is going to have a hard time. What was done is girdling the tree and this cuts the flow of moisture to the leaves. I would keep it watered (about every other day) and hope for the best, it may just make it. You can always replace it after it is dead. In the future I would mulch around the trees and this will keep the weeds form growing near the tree and keep the "weed wacker" away.