Just how resilient are trees that are bumped and banged?

Question: Just how resilient are trees that are bumped and banged?

Answer: Banging your tree with a lawnmower or ripping the trunk with a weed-trimmer opens a pathway for microorganisms to invade and cause major tree damage. The resulting tree wounds also disrupt the necessary movement of organic compounds to roots and trees which can cause a reduction in vigor.
So bump and bang away with your mower and trimmer; burn those leaves and trash next to a tree trunk or under a tree's canopy; let your pet cat scratch on the bark or a newly planted sapling.