Abstract: Method for closing the gate of a rotary barking drum intended for barking of wood, and the gate of a barking drum. The gate is rotated so that it is shifted so as to close the discharge opening at the end of the barking drum partly or completely. During the closing movement, the center of the movement of rotation of the gate (1) is shifted and approaches the center of the cross-section of the drum. For the control of the closing movement, the gate is provided with two support members (2, 3), which can be displaced in a plane parallel to the gate along one common guide (4, 5) or along two separate guides. At least a part of the guide (4, 5) or guides is curved in the same direction as the mantle of the barking drum is curved.