Maple tree bark deterioation - Ask Extension
We have a maple tree in our yard, approximately 25 years old, with what appears to be a deteriorating bark at the base of the tree. We would apprecia...
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Maple tree bark deterioation #866450
Asked April 30, 2024, 11:49 AM EDT
We have a maple tree in our yard, approximately 25 years old, with what appears to be a deteriorating bark at the base of the tree. We would appreciate an appraisal of the health of the tree, and if we should be concerned about the longevity of the tree. In addition, if there is any treatment of intervention that may be helpful, advice long these line would be appreciated.
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
The cause of what looks like a large (but sealed-over) scar in the final photo, and the crack in the close-up of the trunk, is hard to determine from the images. Normal fast growth (common for red and silver maple species), lightning strikes, frost cracks, and other environmental factors can all create trunk/bark cracking. It is not directly treatable, but we suggest you have a certified arborist or licensed tree expert evaluate the tree in person, since there may also be other factors causing it stress that are related (or not) to the existing cracking. The canopy looks good from what we can see, though sometimes trees take months or even years to manifest obvious symptoms of decline after a damaging event takes place or stress becomes too much for the tree to bear.
Miri
Miri
