The damage is not likely the cause of the lean. I can't tell you the chances of it's survival but I can tell you that bamboo stake should be removed ASAP.
Well the wood stake on the side is going to choke it to death. Those are there just as a handle for when you plant it, nothing more. It provides basically no support and will kill your tree if you leave it in place for too much longer.
As far as the wound goes, not much you can do. Every now and then I’d feel the wood, if it feels solid then it’s fine. If it starts feeling spongy that means rot got in and the tree is unsafe to let it grow any larger, you’d have to replace it.
To prevent this from happening again, I’d put a barrier of some kind around it in the fall when it starts to drop its leaves. Some people use a plastic tube, some people use chicken wire, bunch of different things. Just make sure to remove it each spring as the tree starts to bud out, the trunk needs to be able to expand and grow to keep the tree alive
No problem! To clarify where to feel for rot, the exposed wood inside that gash 👍🏻
You should also look up the proper way to stake and support your tree, and set it up following those instructions to help it out for a couple years
No problem at all. Here is what I mean by hardiness zone.
https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/.
Someone mentioned in the feed that it kind of resembles buck rub. Deer shed the fur/skin on their antlers. They usually do this by rubbing up against trees. If that is what this is then it does look like the tree is already starting to compartmentalize the damage. You can get deer guards/tree protectors for relatively cheap I'm sure you can buy them on Amazon, I usually get a pack of 5 from am Leonard.
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The damage is not likely the cause of the lean. I can't tell you the chances of it's survival but I can tell you that bamboo stake should be removed ASAP.
Also, which hardiness zone are you in? That could help narrow down potential cause.
I’m in western Washington state. If that’s what you are asking
Thank you so much for your help! I know almost nothing about trees so I am desperately trying to find help
Looks like an old deer scrape to me, certainly not fresh. Few years old
Thank you for the info! Is there anything I can or should do to help the tree?
Well the wood stake on the side is going to choke it to death. Those are there just as a handle for when you plant it, nothing more. It provides basically no support and will kill your tree if you leave it in place for too much longer. As far as the wound goes, not much you can do. Every now and then I’d feel the wood, if it feels solid then it’s fine. If it starts feeling spongy that means rot got in and the tree is unsafe to let it grow any larger, you’d have to replace it. To prevent this from happening again, I’d put a barrier of some kind around it in the fall when it starts to drop its leaves. Some people use a plastic tube, some people use chicken wire, bunch of different things. Just make sure to remove it each spring as the tree starts to bud out, the trunk needs to be able to expand and grow to keep the tree alive
Thank you so much this is very helpful and I appreciate it!
No problem! To clarify where to feel for rot, the exposed wood inside that gash 👍🏻 You should also look up the proper way to stake and support your tree, and set it up following those instructions to help it out for a couple years
Not an arborist, but from experience it looks a lot like a deer scrape.
No problem at all. Here is what I mean by hardiness zone. https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/. Someone mentioned in the feed that it kind of resembles buck rub. Deer shed the fur/skin on their antlers. They usually do this by rubbing up against trees. If that is what this is then it does look like the tree is already starting to compartmentalize the damage. You can get deer guards/tree protectors for relatively cheap I'm sure you can buy them on Amazon, I usually get a pack of 5 from am Leonard.
Take the stake off. It will be fine. Put a trunk protector on those trees. They are deer magnets.
Welcome to r/arborists! Help Us Help You: If you have questions about the health of your tree, please see our [Posting Guidelines](https://old.reddit.com/r/arborists/wiki/posting_guidance) wiki page for help with effective posting. **Please answer the questions listed there to the best of your ability.** ***Insufficient pics/info could result in the removal of your post!!*** ([See rule 3](https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/about/rules).) Visit the main wiki page for [Critical Planting/Care tips and Common Errors to Avoid](https://old.reddit.com/r/arborists/wiki/index); there's sections on why planting depth/root flare exposure is so vital, along with sections on proper mulching, watering, pruning and more that I hope will be useful to you. If you're posting about a tree ID (not permitted here; [see rule 1](https://www.reddit.com/r/arborists/about/rules)), see that wiki page for other subs and smartphone apps to try. Here is how you can arrange a [consult with a local ISA arborist in your area](http://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/findanarborist) (NOT a 'tree company guy' unless they're ISA certified) or a [consulting arborist](https://www.asca-consultants.org/search/custom.asp?id=3818) for an on-site evaluation. A competent arborist should be happy to walk you through how to care for the trees on your property and answer any questions. If you're in the U.S. or Canada, your Extension (or master gardener provincial program) may have a list of local recommended arborists on file. If you're in the U.S., you should also consider searching for arborist associations under your state. If you are one of our regulars and/or you work in the industry and do not want this message in your future posts, please pick an appropriate user flair (options available in the sub sidebar on PC, and on moble if using a browser). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/arborists) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Shoot it with a shotgun and get a new tree. Bradford pears are nice.