Bark Breaking on my Maple Tree - Ask Extension
The last couple of years the bark on my maple tree has been peeling back. This summer I have noticed a new section of the bark starting to break open ...
Knowledgebase
Bark Breaking on my Maple Tree #875586
Asked July 02, 2024, 12:36 AM EDT
The last couple of years the bark on my maple tree has been peeling back. This summer I have noticed a new section of the bark starting to break open now also. I am trying to figure out what I can do to save the tree. When you look at the canopy of the tree it is very full and looks very healthy.
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello Amy,
Sorry to hear about your maple. Is the splitting happening on the south/south-west side of the tree? I noticed there's a lawn around the trunk of the tree, what kind of irrigation does the tree get? Does your lawn get fertilized in the fall?
This looks alot like Frost crack/Sunscald.
Here's a link to University of Conneticut's page about Frost Cracks/Sunscald.
It goes into great details on why frost cracks/sunscald happen and how to avoid it from happening in future seasons.
It also talks about removing damaged detached bark (so that pests don't try to nest in the area and cause more stress to the tree).
If you have further questions let us know!
Best,
Boulder County Master Gardeners
Sorry to hear about your maple. Is the splitting happening on the south/south-west side of the tree? I noticed there's a lawn around the trunk of the tree, what kind of irrigation does the tree get? Does your lawn get fertilized in the fall?
This looks alot like Frost crack/Sunscald.
Here's a link to University of Conneticut's page about Frost Cracks/Sunscald.
It goes into great details on why frost cracks/sunscald happen and how to avoid it from happening in future seasons.
It also talks about removing damaged detached bark (so that pests don't try to nest in the area and cause more stress to the tree).
If you have further questions let us know!
Best,
Boulder County Master Gardeners
