Damaged Maple Tree

[Soonernurse]

Hello. We have Japanese Maple trees in our back yard. Squirrels have been eating the bark and damaging the tree. Do you recommend wrapping foil around these trees at the damaged site? My husband has done this, and I’m afraid it will further damage its recovery… I so wish I knew a way to keep them away.
We live in Texas, as its about to get super cold.

 

[Dav4]

Mesh trunk guards will serve you better in keeping the critters from chewing on the bark.

Amazon.com

 

[Shibui]

I don't experience real cold but cannot see why foil would cause further damage. It can only get as cold as the surrounding air so should not make cold worse. If anything, foil may help the wounds to heal by protecting developing callus from dry air.

 

[Rivian]

Its a bit late for calussing, even in Texas I'd guess. If the foil traps water next to the open wounds, that might promote disease.

 

[RoadManDenDron]

I wrap mine like this to keep the squirrels off

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Spray with cayenne pepper. The hotter the better. Will not hurt the tree or the environment, but the squirrels will stay miles away.

Note - it doesn't last very long. But I have found once or twice is all it takes to teach them a lesson.