A gap in the tree bark raises the question of how a tree reacts to the damage. This guide gives a comprehensible answer. Find out how tree bark grows back here.
Does tree bark grow back?
Tree bark grows back by dividing cambium cells at the edge of the injury andwalling over the gap aswound wood. The formation of wound wood is not possible if the bark is damaged all around and there is no cambium for overgrowth.
Can a tree live without bark?
For a tree, the loss of its bark isfatal The pathways for the transport of vital metabolic products (assimilates) run through the bark from the crown to the roots. If the bark is removed from the trunk in a ring a few centimeters wide or eaten away by animals, the nutrient supply to the roots comes to a standstill and the tree dies. In addition, tree bark provides important protective functions for the wood against wind and weather, diseases and pests.
How is the bark formed on a tree?
Tree bark consists of the three layersBark,BastandCambium. The bark lies protectively over the wood, ensures that the trunk grows thicker and closes open wounds after damage. This is how tree bark grows:
- Cambium produces wood cells inwards and bast cells outwards.
- Bast cells move outwards with increasing age and die.
- Bark forms from dead bast cells.
- When damaged, bark grows back as cambium fills the gap as wound wood.
- Tree bark that has been removed in a ring does not grow back because the formation of wound wood is not possible due to the lack of cambium.
Tip
Restore tree bark
Did you know that you can repair damaged tree bark? While bark wounds slowly close, the exposed sapwood and heartwood are left defenseless against attacks by pathogens. With a repair you accelerate the growth of wound wood. Trim the edges of the wound smooth and brush away any dead material. Apply wound closure to the edges of the wound or apply a healing clay pack with jute wraps.
