Simulated Cattle Injury to Planted Slash Pine: Girdling

Abstract

Animals are known to girdle, or partially girdle, trees and shrubs by eating the bark or by knocking off the bark with their hooves. Since girdling has been observed in slash pine plantations being grazed by cattle, this form of injury was simulated on three ages of slash pine. Survival and growth were observed for 6 years after removal of a 5.1-cm-wide band of bark from around 50, 75, and 100% of the stem near groundline. Mortality was negligible except after complete girdling; even then, some seedlings lived. Height growth was reduced by the 75% girdle, primarily on seedlings treated within 6 months after planting. Two side tests on 100% girdles helped explain how trees can survive this severe injury.