Peeling Bark on Japanese Maple - Ask Extension
Hi, we have a beautiful Japanese Maple in our yard in which the bark is peeling off. We noticed a small amount a few years ago, but this year it is dr...
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Peeling Bark on Japanese Maple #826411
Asked April 19, 2023, 10:50 PM EDT
Hi, we have a beautiful Japanese Maple in our yard in which the bark is peeling off. We noticed a small amount a few years ago, but this year it is drastically worse. We are obviously concerned we will lose the tree and hopeful for any suggestions you may have for intervention. Thank you.
Yamhill County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi,
I'm sorry to hear about your Japanese maple tree.
It is not possible to tell from photos exactly what is ailing your maple, but here are some possibilities. It could be drought stress, sun scald, or a bacterial disease.
In natural settings Japanese maples are an understory tree, which means they are more susceptible to damage from sun and heat. Think back over the past several summers which have had extended dry and hot days. This drought stress would accumulate year by year. During dry spells have a consistent watering schedule but don't overwater as too much water leads to the different problem of root rot. This publication from University of Washington Extension, "Environmental Injury: Sunscald and Sunburn on Trees", details more information.
In the first photo there is a pruning scar. From the angle of the photo it appears that the cut was too close to the tree collar. But again that could just be the angle and the cut could have been just fine. Anyway, if it was too close to the trunk of the tree, that in itself stresses the tree. It's possible that weakened area increased the possibility of bark splits. Here's a very detailed article about bark splitting written by Dr. Hannah Mathers from Ohio State University Department of Horticulture for a trade publication.
Another possibility is that your tree is being attacked by a bacterial canker which can cause the bark to split. Here is a page from the Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Handbook on "Maple Branch Canker".
Whatever the cause or causes of the damage, at this point your task is to keep the tree as healthy as possible by mulching around the tree each spring, which helps retain moisture, and consistent watering during drought.
I'm sorry to hear about your Japanese maple tree.
It is not possible to tell from photos exactly what is ailing your maple, but here are some possibilities. It could be drought stress, sun scald, or a bacterial disease.
In natural settings Japanese maples are an understory tree, which means they are more susceptible to damage from sun and heat. Think back over the past several summers which have had extended dry and hot days. This drought stress would accumulate year by year. During dry spells have a consistent watering schedule but don't overwater as too much water leads to the different problem of root rot. This publication from University of Washington Extension, "Environmental Injury: Sunscald and Sunburn on Trees", details more information.
In the first photo there is a pruning scar. From the angle of the photo it appears that the cut was too close to the tree collar. But again that could just be the angle and the cut could have been just fine. Anyway, if it was too close to the trunk of the tree, that in itself stresses the tree. It's possible that weakened area increased the possibility of bark splits. Here's a very detailed article about bark splitting written by Dr. Hannah Mathers from Ohio State University Department of Horticulture for a trade publication.
Another possibility is that your tree is being attacked by a bacterial canker which can cause the bark to split. Here is a page from the Pacific Northwest Plant Disease Handbook on "Maple Branch Canker".
Whatever the cause or causes of the damage, at this point your task is to keep the tree as healthy as possible by mulching around the tree each spring, which helps retain moisture, and consistent watering during drought.
