How to save a silver birch?

[RichardVB]

Hi everybody
Whilst i am a explorer/camper/mountain biker/walker type I need help on something else. My 8 year old decided to rip all the bark off the trunk of our silver birch in the garden. He ripped it all the way round about 2 feet in height. I read that this can kill the tree as it can't transport water/nutrition. He will be devastated if it dies. Does anyone have any suggstions or know someone that might?

Thanks
Richard

[David]

Hi Richard. You are correct in the way that this damage can harm the tree, I believe the living layer is called cambium which is damaged. I'm afraid that I don't have any good method to heal the tree, as I understand, if the bark is ripped all the way round completely the tree will die unfortunately. I think it's best just to hope the damage isn't full thickness. You could possibly ask a local professional gardener who they would recommend, I am afraid I don't know myself. Wish I could be more helpful :(

[RichardVB]

hi David
Thanks for the prompt relpy. I think I might have to get a tree surgeon or someone like that over. Thanks again.
R

[Ollie]

Welcome to GoXplore Richard! :)

[Marmot]

from my limited knowledge as the son of a keen gardener the silver birch has an easily sheddable outer bark layer, and if only this top layer was removed you might be alright

[David]

I believe the living layer is called cambium which is damaged. ... I think it's best just to hope the damage isn't full thickness.

I'd like to add to my previous comment, which looks pretty misleading now I reread it.
The first sentence above is pretty wrong as it stands, what I meant to say was that the layer that causes the tree to die when destroyed is the cambium (to my knowledge), as opposed to a suggestion that this is what is destroyed in your case, as the sentence reads.

As marmot says, in the case of the silver birch there is a dieing outer layer which as your probably know can be peeled easily. I tried to say if the damage doesn't go all the way through the tree can heal, which I have read it will do on it's own.
It is probably best to consult a professional though, to ask if there is a danger of fungus infection or so forth.