How to repair damaged trees from car impact?

[Rick B]

I have two trees that were damaged by vandals who either hit them with their car, or ran them over. The first tree is about 4" in diameter, and has an 18" strip of bark stripped off (just hanging at the top) for half the diameter of the trunk. There is also a small piece missing. The second tree is between 1" and 1.5" in diameter, and was completely run over flat to the ground. It sprang up after about half way. For the bark I have read to use duct tape to tape the bark on tight, and leave it for three months. I have found nothing for the small tree; it will probably just die. Any help on how to repair the trees would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[65% water]

I would recommend cutting them both down. The larger one will work so hard to try to live that it seems cruel to not cut it down, and you can easily replace the smaller one. A tree which has sustained this kind of damage will always be weaker than one that hasn't, and it will be more susceptible to disease and insect infestation for the remainder of its life. Young trees are not expensive and in this case I'd recommend putting these two out of their misery.