How to salvage this mess?

[M. Frary]

This is my only Japanese maple. It stars in a couple other threads. The most memorable was it's war with marauding VC. Since spring is approaching I was wondering if it would sprout below the damaged part out of the bark that's left. If it were an elm I wouldn't need to ask but since it's a maple I'm in the dark. I'm going to try but would like someone to toss out an idea or hope that this will work.
Poor tree!

 

[Dav4]

Maples respond well to trunk chops, so there's hope for this one. I'd treat it like your other trees until it's told you where it's heading.

 

[JoeR]

I guess I don't see why removing a 2 inch section of bark for an airlayer wouldn't kill a tree but If a rodent chewed it off it does kill a tree?

In this case it's likely because it was dormant but I still want to know.

 

[coh]

I guess I don't see why removing a 2 inch section of bark for an airlayer wouldn't kill a tree but If a rodent chewed it off it does kill a tree?

In this case it's likely because it was dormant but I still want to know.

Probably depends in part on how deep the damage is. A few years ago I left a bunch of plants outdoors during the winter. Voles completely girdled the base of a euonymus. I figured it was a goner, but planted it in the ground and it is still alive and relatively well today.

If I wanted to see if I could save the top I'd wrap the damaged area in damp sphagnum as if I was doing a layer. That might either (1) cause new roots to form (layer), or (2) allow the damaged region to heal over.

 

[edprocoat]

It may air layer, needed it any way judging by the reverse taper on the left upper trunk which is larger than the base.

ed

 

[BunjaeKorea]

Same thing happened to mine, but its budding now, will have to see if it has the energy to survive

 

[erb.75]

It may air layer, needed it any way judging by the reverse taper on the left upper trunk which is larger than the base.

ed

I like the idea of air layering it...you'll get two trees maybe! A blessing in disguise?
let me know how it works if you decide to try that. Those pesky VC...

 

[M. Frary]

The layer may work but that damage is like a foot tall. I may try it. Nothing to lose.