A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Plants and Flowers Forum Shrubs and Trees bark damage to young Red Sunset Maple

Purchased Red Sunset Maple from local garden center. bark skin scratched off about half inch wide horizontally, 1 foot long during transportation. The tree is about 1.5 inch diameter. I'm wondering if anyone can give some advice: whether the damage is serious or will heal over time. Since I just bought, I have option of return it back for exchange, but I'm hoping I don't have to. Thanks in advance.

I got a different kind of tree with alot more damage and it seems to be doing okay I was thinking about painting over the wound...but decided to let it heal it's self.

everything i've seen and read says not to paint over the wound. the tree has it's own method of healing.

I read that too somewhere was why I decided not to paint it. and mine looks much worse, it got skinned by a backhoe...in 2 places. but looks like it's heeling okay.

just watch for insect on it, I read that somewhere too

why not ask ((RugbyHukr Dream Gardener))
he helped me with my Red Sunset Maple that was damamged.

leave it alone. trees have a response to damage called CODIT (Compartmentalization Of Decay In Trees). the tree will seek to section off the damage and heal. the shallow scrape should not do much damage. only the look of the tree is affected.