How Buck Behavior Impacts Trees in Indiana

Bucks rub their antlers against young trees because they are still flexible. There is a misconception about bucks who rub their antlers on trees. Many people in the past have assumed that it is due to the velvet that initially covers buck antlers. It was believed that this velvet was itchy, and bucks were simply relieving the irritation. But this can’t be true because antlers do not have nerve endings! Research shows that bucks most likely exhibit this behavior for a number of reasons. But the 3 most common include:

☑ To Mark Their Territory
☑ To Practice or Strengthen Neck Muscles for Battle
☑ To Arouse and Attract Fertile Does

Tree Damages Caused By Male Deer

This distinctive buck behavior can harm trees. It can create open wounds in trees and break off bark. This leaves a tree more vulnerable to diseases, infections, and pest infestations. If a tree gets sick, it can quickly decline and die. So, it is necessary to take action because deer will come back to your trees, season after season.

Tree Protection For Nuisance Wildlife Problems

You have a few options to protect your trees from deer interference. You can install a fence around your property, which will inhibit deer from being able to enter your premises. If you are not interested in such a large investment, you can install a perimeter fence just around your trees.

You can make these using sheets of welded wire mesh, or you can purchase manufactured tree barriers or ornamental metal grates on the market. Be sure they are at least 5 to 6 feet tall and reinforced by 8-foot-tall rebar.

The rebar should be pounded into the ground at regular intervals around the perimeter of the tree. If this doesn’t work for you, you can use corrugated plastic drainpipe. Cut it in half, lengthwise, and wrap it around the tree.

Would you like some help with winter tree care this year? Contact Timberland Tree Care at 317-348-0811 for licensed and insured tree service in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We provide residential and commercial tree work, as well as free estimates and advice.

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Call 317-348-0811 for Sycamore Tree Removal in Indianapolis!

Cool Facts About Sycamore Trees

One of the most common species of tree native to North America is the Sycamore, or Platanus occidentalis. Also called the American Sycamore, Buttonwood, Occidental Plane, and American Planetree, the Sycamore is a beautiful tree easily distinguishable for it’s mottled, exfoliating bark. The bark of a Sycamore flakes off in big, irregular masses, leaving behind a blotchy surface with patterns of green, white, black, and brown bark.

Although all trees grow out of their bark in similar ways, the American Sycamore shows these signs more visibly. Another trait that easily distinguishes Sycamore trees from others is the way their leaves grow sticky green buds. And when it comes to growing, Sycamore trees are among the largest! A Sycamore tree can grow to massive heights and widths. On average, they grow between 90 and 130 feet tall and over 4 feet wide! Have you ever seen a tree so big before?

Well in Kokomo, Indiana, you can! At Highland Park, anyone can witness the largest sycamore tree stump in the world!

Visit Kokomo’s Highland Park to See the Largest Tree Stump in the World!

🌳 WHERE: Highland Park
🌳 ADDRESS: Old Ben Drive, Kokomo, Indiana
🌳 ADMISSION FEE: Free! 🎉

In the early 1900’s, a giant, centuries-old sycamore tree fell from a storm several miles west of Kokomo, Indiana. Although no one could identify exactly how old the tree was, the stump that stood in its place was over 12 feet tall, 18 feet wide, and 57 feet in circumference! A man by the name of Jacob Bergman was the commissioner for the Kokomo City Park at the time. He took a strong liking to the old tree stump and decided it would make a great attraction to honor our state’s pioneer days. For $300, Bergman was able to hire a tractor to pull the stump from the outskirts of Kokomo, all the way to the City Park. This took place on Sunday, June 18^th, 1916.

There were many reports that the Sycamore stump would be renovated into an interactive park attraction. Rumors of doors, openings, spiral staircases, and observation decks buzzed around town, but nothing was ever done to the stump. Instead, the tree stump stood in the park for nearly 20 years, taking on an abundance of abuse in the form of name carving and vandalism.

So in 1938, Kokomo enlisted the National Youth Administration to build an open air screened-in shelter around the stump to preserve it from harm and deterioration. In 1989, an all-weather glass pavilion was built around it, along with two added wings for a visitation center and another attraction (the world’s largest steer).

Would you like some of your landscaping trees trimmed up, pruned, or removed this year? Contact Timberland Tree Care at 317-348-0811 for licensed and insured tree service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We serve residential and commercial customers with comprehensive tree service solutions at the right price.

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Monthly Archives: November 2022

How to Stop Bucks From Damaging Your Trees

How Buck Behavior Impacts Trees in Indiana

Tree Damages Caused By Male Deer

Tree Protection For Nuisance Wildlife Problems

The Home of the World’s Biggest Sycamore Tree Stump Will Surprise You

Cool Facts About Sycamore Trees

Visit Kokomo’s Highland Park to See the Largest Tree Stump in the World!