Just a single vertical cut is all that is needed. How could the tape resist expansion of the scion if the ring is broken? I’ve used it on scions where girdling has already begun and it stops it and the scion fully recovers. That is when I use the cutting method. The trick is making sure you’ve cut completely through the tape. You don’t know that until you’ve cut into the scion, from which it will heal.
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I was speaking only about removing the tape using several cuts to remove the tape in sections that makes it easier to pull each section upward
Is there a reason to remove the tape if it isn’t girdling the scion?
After the graft has healed. If I leave electrical tape on bark grafts too long the bark deteriorates under the tape. Medical issues kept me out of orchard last two Fall seasons when I’d normally cut off tape so had some bark issues. Apple bark grafts I leave taped about 6 months; pawpaws at least a year.
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Ah, that makes perfect sense. I don’t do bark grafts, so what do I know?
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I was new to grafting last year so take my way with a grain of salt. I do whip and tongue or cleft grafts. I wrap the graft point and the rest of the Scion in parafilm and then wrap the graft point in Temflex. I went through in the fall and did a vertical slice through the Temflex and it came right off with the parafilm with no damage to the bark.
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Did you use the Temflex that self fuses (doesn’t have glue)? Was the Temflex degraded in any way? Do you think if you left it alone without cutting it would be fine?
Ya I used the Temflex that was self fusing. I did notice a little degrading, but I think if left, it would girdle.
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This makes me more comfortable using electrical tape (1:30). According to their experience, the tape stretches and falls off when the tree grows and doesn’t girdle. I’m not so convinced that’s the case with all electrical tape. I was also a bit overzealous and wrapped the tape many times over which will probably restrict growth. I do like the tip about red tape!