Hi There,

First, let me say that this is a great forum! I'm pleased to have discovered it

I have a bit of an odd problem, I've got an apple tree in the garden (not sure what variety - I'm a bit of a tree amature!). This year about half of the bark at the bottom of the tree has come away just leaving bare wood - which looks as though it's dried up. The foliage on the tree is absolutely fine, however, it only produced 1 apple this year (previously it fruited abundantly).

I'm not really sure what to do - should I just leave it? Or should I do something to protect the bare patch.

Any help much appreciated.
Max

Are you certain that the bare wood has been exposed? Can you see the actual wood grain? Sometime bark peels away naturally exposing a smooth layer. I had a tree do this and I thought it was a goner until I finally saw the new bark texturing up.
If it is exposed wood, that's bad news. If so, is it healing in from the sides? In any case, I wouldn't cover it with anything, just leave it exposed to air and light. It may heal over if whatever caused the problem isn't around anymore.
It could be Apple Canker, which I have never actually seen. But you can google for it and check the images and see if they look like what you've got. Does it look like something might have chewed the bark away? Sometimes various rodents will do that.
A picture would be helpful, but even with that a diagnosis may or may not be possible.