Dog has shredded bark of keepsake tree. Help!?

My husband and I have a huge umbrella tree about 15 years old. It is a keepsake of his mother who has passed on.


Recently, we noticed that the tree looked sick. Droopy branches, dehydrated leaves.


On closer inspected we noticed that the bark is all tattered, a good sized gash about 4 inches long. The white wood is showing, it has plainly been chewed at. Midway up the tree.


Our Brittany spaniel, has been using it for a chewing toy. The little rascal.


I have heard that you can graft sections of trees on certain species. Is there anything I can use to cover the wound? Any suggestions or websites would be appreciated. I know a fair bit about plants but I am baffled at what to do. Thanks.

Dog has shredded bark of keepsake tree. Help!?
You need someone to do a "bridge graft", it's like a heart transplant for trees. Not many people attempt it even tree surgeons. I've tried it three times on trees damaged by dog chains and only one survived it's first Dakota winter, an apple. It had a 6" trunk that was girdled 50% and I used three 1" grafts and pruned out 50% of it's branches. I had never seen it done before but I have done other grafting and had nothing to lose. It will never be normal looking, the trunk will always look very odd but it still produces apples. RScott
Reply:I'd definitely call a nursery or a tree surgeon to have a look at it. This sounds like it needs considerably more care than I am able to give it online, unfortunately. Clearly, you need to find a way to keep the dog away from the tree, of course.
Reply:You might see if you can find a substance called pruning sealer. It is in a jar with a screw on brush top or can also be found as a spray. Put it on the wound and see if you can seal it. Wrap the trunk with tree wrap - you can get it at the local nursery. You can also buy a short section of black plastic corrugated pipe and split it, then wrap around the trunk. This would prevent the dog from doing further damage and give the tree a chance to heal. You will most likely see some branches die because of the injuries. Just like we have arteries and veins to distribute nutrients throughout our bodies, plants have a layer just below the bark that carries water to the branches and leaves. The core carries the food to the branches and leaves. The deeper the damage, the more likely some branches will be affected.
Reply:Try calling a tree nursery or tree farm in your area and they can probably help with your question.


I live in Portland Oregon and call Drake's seven dees. They are very helpful.


I hope this helps you.


Hope
Reply:If you live in town you might call your conservation department and ask them to send out their urban tree specialist to have a look at it. In the meantime, I would fence it off!