Or at least trying to...
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| Rabbit Damage |
Walking around my trees the other day I could see that one had been badly damaged by rabbits (or girdled the term is). They had chewed the bark above the rabbit guard and only a tiny strip on the back remains.
As this tree has only been in a year I could easily replace it, but that's a years growth wasted and the cost of a new tree, so I decided to try and repair it.
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| Make cuts below and above the damage into the cambium layer |
The way the tree had been damaged meant that the sap couldn't flow up the tree anymore but I'd read about using "bridge grafts" to solve this problem -I'd just never tried it. Still nothing ventured...
I first took a couple of small branches from the same tree of last years growth. This was soft and flexible. I then cut a long cut on both ends and a small one on the other sides to make a wedge shape.
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| I bridge the damage using some small branches from last years growth |
In the tree itself I made an incision below the damage and one above. These cuts aren't too deep but expose the cambium layer just below the bark. I then inserted the two "bridges" into these cuts. The books said I could just use one for a tree this size but I decided to go with two in case one didn't work. They are cut slightly long so they have to be bent into position helping to maintain cambium contact once the tape is applied.
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| The graft taped up, only time will tell to see if I did any good. |
I then taped it all up and applied grafting wax to make sure it was sealed. And before I finished I added another rabbit guard on top of the first to help to keep the little buggers away.
I'm not sure whether this will work or not but it was interesting to try. Before I started to learn about grafting I would have assumed there wasn't anything I could do to keep this tree alive. It's nice to learn through doing by using the knowledge I've gained through books - because if you don't ever do what you've read about you haven't really learnt anything! .
Rabbit fricassee sounds just right about now. I do mine in coconut cream and rosemary. Serve on white rice with a side of black beans and a good Lager to wash it all down.
ReplyDeleteSounds good. Just need to shoot them first. Everytime I go out with the gun they're no where to be seen!
DeleteI'd definately be sighting the rabbits weith my gun!
ReplyDeleteBut yes worth a try to do this and a worthwhile experiment I think :-)
Yeah I think so! Thanks again for the cuttings!
DeleteRabbit pies on the menu then?
ReplyDeleteBe interesting to see how the tree survives.
Even if the rabbits don't.
Oh, my Dad used to do this...it worked!
ReplyDeleteJane x
Glad to here someone else has done it and it works (so long as I've done it right!)
DeleteWell that's a neat trick I never knew about!
ReplyDeleteI do like Michael's rabbit recipe, must give that a go.
I didn't know about it until I got into grafting. Now I'm grafting everything on to everything else!
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ReplyDeleteOk this is very cool! Who knew you could do surgery and gives trees basically new arteries! Wow I am impressed! You guys have some serious mean rabbits apparently! We have tons here but luckily knock on wood they don't do things like that. They are not a issue for me...not like the moles!
ReplyDeleteYes the rabbits can be a nightmare they really like young trees. If I leave branches on the floor they strip the bark off them.
DeleteDid the graft take?? I have to learn grafting due to some rabbits girdling many fruit trees and I'm anxious to know. Thank you
ReplyDeleteYes the tree survived. I've had some more girdled but by mice this time and I might try inarching instead which is to graft in a new rootstock onto the old tree to keep it alive. Lots of fun with grafting when you learn how easy it is!
Deletethanks, good to hear. What do you think about a cleft graft if there's a lot of damage?
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