Scratched off bark, and dug up soil, Who dunnit?

27-May-2006	#1
chkaplan bonsaiTALK Craftsman Join Date: Jan-2006 Location: Brooklyn Country: USA USDA Zone: 6B AHS Heat Zone: 5 Posts: 63	Scratched off bark, and dug up soil, Who dunnit? Hey All, I live in Brooklyn, and currently have a terrace on the 2nd floor where I keep my puny little potential collection. Over the past 2 weeks three of my five trees now have had scratched off bark and dug up soil by a mystery animal. My questions are, have any of you had this problem, and if so, do you know which animal it is, and finally, what to do about it? I guess it could be a cat, but I never heard of cats scratching off bark (only one marking on the trunk of each of the trees). Oh, almost forgot, on another one it looks like the same critter has 'marked it's territory', but no trunk scrtach-marks on that one. (I need to get a bonsai guard!!!!) Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Regards Chris __________________ The lips of wisdom are closed except to the ears of understanding...

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27-May-2006	#2
Bonsaifreak bonsaiTALK Master Craftsman Join Date: Jun-2005 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas USDA Zone: 9 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 989	My guess is a cat. My cats often find it convenient to sharpen their claws on my trees as well. Try a cat repellent. Jorge __________________ "Always acknowledge a fault. This will throw those in authority off their guard and give you an opportunity to commit more." Mark Twain

27-May-2006	#3
Moleque_san bonsaiTALK Expert Join Date: May-2006 Location: Sacramento Country: United States USDA Zone: 9 AHS Heat Zone: 8 Posts: 177	I agree, no dog can climb to the 2nd story (ok ive seen a few times but unlikely) my mom uses this spray stuff but I cant remember what its called...if you do use a spray I would spray the pot itself and not the tree only because of the chemical content.

27-May-2006	#4
Just_Mike Enthusiast Join Date: Feb-2006 Location: Lodi, CA Country: US Posts: 111	most likely a kitty...a lady at work mentioned that bleach can be used to help keep them away (by making a barrier) i've never tried this though...another thing you can do that is pretty ugly but would only be needed until they find a new favorite spot is aluminum foil...wrap the trunks that are being scratched for about a week...cats hate to walk on or scratch aluminum foil...with any luck, in about a week they would have forgotten about your trees and found a new spot to mark and sharpen nails...good luck. ...mike

27-May-2006	#5
PinkFloyd Just Comfortably Numb Join Date: Feb-2006 Location: Axis, Alabama Country: USA USDA Zone: 8 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 45	Could be a squirrel. I have had them do the same to my trees. dig in the soil, and nip the bark. They are VERMIN, KILL EVERYONE YOU SEE. John Lee

27-May-2006	#6
Vance Wood bonsaiTALK ArchMaster Join Date: Sep-2002 Location: Roseville Michigan Country: USA USDA Zone: 5/6 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 2,432	I agree it is most likely a Squirrel, this is what they do. A cat is not likely to do this kind of thing. The trees are too small to be of any use as a scratching post, but a squirrel chew toy is another issue. __________________ The only finished bonsai is a dead one; me 1992 MABA Des Moines Iowa

28-May-2006	#7
taipan(deceased) Nudist Bonsai Farmer Join Date: May-2005 Location: Daintree Rainforest & Great Barrier Reef Country: Australia USDA Zone: 6tropical AHS Heat Zone: humid Posts: 565	Good Lord Chris you live in the United States of America... Don't blame a measley little rodent for damage to your trees... Blame Bigfoot! Tai

28-May-2006	#8
PinkFloyd Just Comfortably Numb Join Date: Feb-2006 Location: Axis, Alabama Country: USA USDA Zone: 8 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 45	True, Bigfoot is the Kingpin, but he sends his minions to do his dirty work. Like the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz used those winged-monkey-things. John Lee

29-May-2006	#9
palmettopark BonsaiTALK Chef Join Date: Feb-2005 Location: Boca Raton, Florida Country: USA USDA Zone: 10 b AHS Heat Zone: 11 Posts: 158	how bout a rat??

29-May-2006

#10

Vance Wood

bonsaiTALK ArchMaster

Join Date: Sep-2002

Location: Roseville Michigan

Country: USA

USDA Zone: 5/6

AHS Heat Zone: ?

Posts: 2,432

Quote:

Originally Posted by palmettopark

how bout a rat??

Very good possibility, from the description it is most definitely a rodent, from the digging, I suspect Squirrels. Sometimes Squirrels will dig around looking for good places to bury nuts, or--- looking for nuts they buried last fall. I have found on occasion Walnuts sprouting in some of my trees. There is not a Walnut close enough to me to be a drop issue, they had to be transported.

__________________
The only finished bonsai is a dead one; me 1992 MABA Des Moines Iowa

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