Dumb dog

[The Mama Chicken]

My dog pulled my brand new fig tree out of its little pot and chewed on the roots. He also chewed on the roots of my bare root cherry tree and my bare root apricot tree. I just bought them today. Will they still grow? Should I just plant them and cross my fingers? The big roots were still intact but all of the small roots were chewed off. I'm so frustrated!!!

 

[Detlor Poultry]

Sorry to hear that; I personally doubt the trees will survive, but you should go for it anyways. They vaguely have a chance of surviving.
I have a similarly frustrating story: I've been trying to destroy wild Sweet Peas in my garden that grow faster than I can keep up with and are deadly to some of the other plants. I finaly smother them with mulch. Our barn cat then decides all that loose mulch makes a good toilet, and kicks it all onto the Lupins (which are now dead ), and the Sweet peas spring up again faster than you can say sweet pea, and my garden smells like cat leavings. :/

 

[vfem]

My suggestion is to get some asprin or rooting hormone powder and moisten the roots and sprinkle some over to cover before planting. It will help destress and give them a chance.

You started to make me wonder if somehow you got my dog! LOL

 

[The Mama Chicken]

Thank you so much vfem! I'll pick some up tomorrow. He also eats chickens and chases anything with wheels...oh, and he loves to dig. I'm looking for a new home for him, anyone interested?

 

[The Mama Chicken]

Sorry to hear that; I personally doubt the trees will survive, but you should go for it anyways. They vaguely have a chance of surviving.
I have a similarly frustrating story: I've been trying to destroy wild Sweet Peas in my garden that grow faster than I can keep up with and are deadly to some of the other plants. I finaly smother them with mulch. Our barn cat then decides all that loose mulch makes a good toilet, and kicks it all onto the Lupins (which are now dead ), and the Sweet peas spring up again faster than you can say sweet pea, and my garden smells like cat leavings. :/

My cat and yours would be best friends. Mine likes to run at the goats and scare them silly. I think she just wants to see how fast a goat can move. Who knew that companion animals would turn out to be more trouble than the livestock?

 

[catjac1975]

I am more optimistic that they will survive. Trim any rough edged roots, soak in water for a bit and plant. In any case I would not just throw them out without a try. Now as for that dog......

 

[hoodat]

I'm not sure about the others but the fig shouldn't have too much trouble growing new roots. Figs have great power for regeneration.

 

[The Mama Chicken]

Thanks everyone. I will trim the ragged roots, soak them and then add the rooting hormone before I plant them tomorrow. Right now they are in a tub of damp sand. The dog is on Craigslist, free to a good home WITHOUT chickens or orchards.

 

[catjac1975]

Poor dog.

 

[skeeter9]

I don't know what it is about some dogs that makes them pull up trees/shrubs and chew the roots off. We had a dog like that, too. The minute we turned our backs on him, he would pull up anything he could and go to town on the root system until there was nothing left. It was like a huge game to him. His habit was getting so destructive that we finally rehomed him (pulling up my beautiful Chinese Dogwood and killing it was the last straw). Fortunately we were able to find an appropriate home for him and he is doing great. Best of all, our yard is looking much better! The moral of this story is - while most of us don't want to ever rehome our pets, sometimes it works out for the best! Good luck to you!!