Question: Can a tree survive if its bark has been stripped off? Why?

Anna Gardner answered on 21 Jun 2019:

Bark is the protective layer on the outside of tree trunks and branches of trees. It is essential as it forms a physical barrier that prevents injury to the inner parts of the tree (like our skin for us!). It keeps disease and insects out while holding in water and nutrients needed for tree growth. If you remove the bark, a tree can be susceptible to injury from the environment.
Sometimes, small amounts of bark can be removed and the tree will survive. For example, storms and animals can remove bark yet the tree is still ok. Humans can also remove bark on trees for uses in medicine (e.g. eucalyptus bark), materials ( for baskets or mats) and also eat it! ( The bark of the cinnamon tree). There are also trees that produce an outer bark which can be harvested with no harm to the tree, these are the cork tree (Cork Oak). Anything that is made of cork (e.g. furniture or wine tops) will use this and the tree will not be damaged!