During this past winter in the snow I noticed something was chew off the outer layer of the bark on the lower trunk area of my mature dogwood, We do have deer which I think they may have done it, or squirrels. So I waited to see how the tree would bloom this spring. Not as full as it has been since I moved here in '05. My neighbor has even less bossoms than I do. Tree looks ok but foliage and flowers are thinned out. I don't see any bug damage, rotting just wondered can I assist with anything? 2 years ago I did some minor pruning and last spring it helped alot with health of the tree. My wife and I really like the tree and I am concered long term damage.

For now, feed well with organics--or a light shot of synthetics after blooming (but not until it's done).

Trees tend to heal better when left alone.

Next winter, consider a short fence around the trunk to keep whatever's ravaging it away.

How far up is the girdling? Sounds like voles to me. In that case, I would use a mild soap to wash off the girdled area to kill any diseases and then rinse well with water. Water the tree well but more-so in summer so the tree doesn't die from water stress during periods of drought.

And as Morph said leave it alone after that and wrap it with wire mess next winter.

The event happened after a series of snow storms about 2-2.5 feet of snow total. about 4 feet up was the fresh damage done, not very deep about the thickness of paper. I thought it was a deer because I remember thinking they were despirate for food and the height at which most of this happened. Or as I said squirrels.

Update, First year with Milorganite, and other organics, now the wifes complaining the dogwood needs pruning, the branches are really full of leaves. I said Whattttt? .

That's the side effect. For this month's collection, I have a full bin and about twelve bags of stuff to go. Possibly more by the time I finish up.

Some things I've ignored I hammered back this year, though. The Viburnum went from 9 feet to 2 feet...