Tree Health - Ask Extension
Hello! I have a mature maple in my yard (Negaunee Township in the U.P.) that looks unwell. A large section of bark is missing and there is a dark sect...
Knowledgebase
Tree Health #867148
Asked May 05, 2024, 8:30 PM EDT
Hello! I have a mature maple in my yard (Negaunee Township in the U.P.) that looks unwell. A large section of bark is missing and there is a dark section. In addition to that, there is a huge increase in woodpecker activity/holes. What are the best next steps for us?
Marquette County Michigan
Expert Response
Hi Stephanie,
It looks like the tree might have lost some bark due to an injury; that bark will not grow back, but there area will be sealed off from the living tissue to prevent introduction of disease through the wound.
The large round holes may be caused by an insect - perhaps the sugar maple borer? However that native pest usually causes a horizontal wound in the tree rather than a vertical one. You can see pictures of the typical wound at the article below:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/exotic_invasive_pests_may_be_more_newsworthy_but_native_pests_can_also_be_t
It would be good to assess the tree once the leaves elongate to know if any of the branches are dead. You may even consider calling the Marquette County Conservation District to see if the District Forester can come take a look once the leaves are on to assess the health of tree.
https://marquettecd.com/sara-kelso/
Or you may choose to seek the advice of a certified arborist. Arborists are certified through the International Society of Arboriculture, or ISA. They maintain a website that helps you find a certified professional:
https://www.treesaregood.org/
I hope this helps. Sometimes, and issue can have multiple causes and I would be remiss if I diagnosed without seeing the tree itself and the situation in which it grows.
Thank you,
-Julie
It looks like the tree might have lost some bark due to an injury; that bark will not grow back, but there area will be sealed off from the living tissue to prevent introduction of disease through the wound.
The large round holes may be caused by an insect - perhaps the sugar maple borer? However that native pest usually causes a horizontal wound in the tree rather than a vertical one. You can see pictures of the typical wound at the article below:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/exotic_invasive_pests_may_be_more_newsworthy_but_native_pests_can_also_be_t
It would be good to assess the tree once the leaves elongate to know if any of the branches are dead. You may even consider calling the Marquette County Conservation District to see if the District Forester can come take a look once the leaves are on to assess the health of tree.
https://marquettecd.com/sara-kelso/
Or you may choose to seek the advice of a certified arborist. Arborists are certified through the International Society of Arboriculture, or ISA. They maintain a website that helps you find a certified professional:
https://www.treesaregood.org/
I hope this helps. Sometimes, and issue can have multiple causes and I would be remiss if I diagnosed without seeing the tree itself and the situation in which it grows.
Thank you,
-Julie
