Tag left in tree branch

Question

A tag was left on a main branch of a young tree and the tree is growing around it. Will there be a problem down the road? The company that planted it says it is not a big deal and won’t honor the warranty. will there be a problem down the road?
Thank you
John

Answer 1

Trees have a mechanism to sequester and fix problems very similar to humans forming scabs. But it isn’t perfect and some trees are better at it than others. An open wound that doesn’t heal is an invitation for pests and disease. An attempt should be made to remove the tag. If bark has already grown around it, severe it in several places so it isn’t constricting. Once cut, see if the tag can be pulled through. Whether not removing a tag constitutes breach of contract or covered by warranty protection is a legal question I’m not qualified to answer.