Re: Can removing bark kill a tree?

Yes, removing a large amount of bark especially if the removed bark extends 
all around the circumference of the main trunk can kill the tree. Bark 
contains phloem tissue. Phloem transports sugars, other organic compounds and 
some moneral nutrients throughout the plant. Removing a ring of bark at the 
base of a tree trunk will starve the roots of sugars, which is their source of 
energy. 

Some fruit growers intentionally remove a narrow ring of bark, termed 
girdling, to keep the sugars in the top of the tree. This can increase fruit 
yield because more sugars are available for the fruits. However, the bark can 
regrow and replace the narrow ring of removed bark so the tree survives. 

Tree trunks increase in diameter each year as more xylem and phloem is 
produced. Trees can also be girdled by guy wires or even their own roots, 
which prevent this diameter growth. The strangler fig can also "strangle" 
trees.

References



Girdling a Tree


Girdling Fruit Trees


Ring Barking


Girdling Roots -- A Problem of Shade Trees


Strangler fig