What stripped every last pine needle?

[Dav4]

Wonder if there is any chance, if I put a few grafts down low, if they would take and survive? If so wonder what would be best scion stock? Jbp on virginia pine, jwp on mugo? Scots pine would probably be a good bark and growth rate match for va pine but I don't have any scots.

Scion grafts need good growth above them to have a decent rate of success, and obviously, that's not going to happen here. Your best bet is leaving it alone and hoping latent buds pop somewhere.

 

[Gabler]

Also, why would you use a different species? Graft mugo to mugo and Virginia to Virginia.

 

[Coppersdad]

Deer fence 8' high. They'll jump over anything shorter than that... Ask me how I know . Also, at least here, deer spray is like a condiment.

@Dav4 I'm not certain how many of the good folks in this group are familiar with the principle of the "three S's". Back in the day when I discovered coyote urine was more expensive than my Jack Daniels, a friend suggested the "principle of the three S's". It did save on coyote urine.

The second "S" did turn in to "making jerky" instead of "shovel". Now, most of us live in a more "civilized" subdivision and even have grandchildren who would be aghast at harming Bambi...

 

[Gabler]

@Dav4 I'm not certain how many of the good folks in this group are familiar with the principle of the "three S's". Back in the day when I discovered coyote urine was more expensive than my Jack Daniels, a friend suggested the "principle of the three S's". It did save on coyote urine.

The second "S" did turn in to "making jerky" instead of "shovel". Now, most of us live in a more "civilized" subdivision and even have grandchildren who would be aghast at harming Bambi...

Remember the third S.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I ended up making a cage. Keeps out squirrels, rabbits, deer and other varmints. Took an old "large dog" wire mesh dog crate, lined it with 1/4 inch hardware cloth, added a gravel filled tray, done!
On bench for summer, on ground for winter.

So variation on this theme might work.

 

[David wv]

Scion grafts need good growth above them to have a decent rate of success, and obviously, that's not going to happen here. Your best bet is leaving it alone and hoping latent buds pop somewhere.

Makes sense now that you say it, if there is little to no growth on the tree, nothing will swell enough to fuse together and the scions will never take.
I'll just have to wait and see if any buds pop, like you say.

 

[David wv]

Also, why would you use a different species? Graft mugo to mugo and Virginia to Virginia.

Well I was just thinking, if I did, I mise- well impove the foliage type, but you have a good point. But that is the only virginia pine I have. And the only other mugo I have, I believe is a regular mugo, were the one that was damaged is a dwarf. Idk how much different the growth rate would be. If it was reversed with the root stock being regular mugo, I would imagine that would be more ideal. I suppose I could drive where I know virginia pines grow and collect some donor material. But sounds like it's not the best idea anyways.

 

[leatherback]

Wonder if there is any chance, if I put a few grafts down low, if they would take and survive? If so wonder what would be best scion stock? Jbp on virginia pine, jwp on mugo? Scots pine would probably be a good bark and growth rate match for va pine but I don't have any scots.

They might. There are different routes to scion grafting and I do see a method where (with deciduous, mind you) the top is cut and the graft inserted at the cut site in winter.

On the other hand.. You are headed towards spring. If I look at the picture it seems there are still buds present on the tree. You might just wait it out and see whether they spring back. It IS the time of year for them to push latent buds after winter damage.