In regards to forcing the bud, it could be timed to coincide with the tree's next flush. As a conservative measure I would nick/notch the bark about an inch above the top of the bud. If the bud is never forced, it might remain dormamt and eventually be overgrown by the bark.
In regards to the maturity of the bud union, I'd keep the area, except for the actual bud, wrapped an additional 10 days out of an abundance of caution. It's probably not necessary, though.