Buddy tape needs to be removed after the union heals.
Brad, what happens if you don't remove the buddy tape?
If you dont remove it, it can girdle the scion and especially the graft union if there is multipke layers of buddy tape. The stuff is very strong and does not degrade and fall off on it's own. Some plants may be able to grow out of it and bust out but i have had lots of pieces get girdled and choked even from just not removing it soon enough.
Here is a picture of a graft done in early December. It made its first flush and now I have removed the buddy tape last week. And loosened the flagging tape. The flagging tape comes off clean and will go back on easily. It won't stick to itself like electrical tape or grafting tapes. And it won't dry up and Crack like a rubber band. I keep re adjusting the tightness on the flagging tape for up to 6 months to keep the graft from failing before the union is strong. Top working trees makes scions grow really fast and if the tape is not on the union long enough, the grafts can break in the wind at the union.
The timing is really important too. All my avocados get done in December. I have not started doing cherimoya yet. I will wait until end of March to do them.