Is this sunscape? - Ask Extension
Hello I have a Matador Maple that was freshly planted last season. When I was watering it today I noticed a dark spot on the trunk and realized it loo...
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Is this sunscape? #877044
Asked July 12, 2024, 9:34 PM EDT
Hello I have a Matador Maple that was freshly planted last season. When I was watering it today I noticed a dark spot on the trunk and realized it looks like dead material under it. Is this sunscald?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
It does look like sunscald. The high temperatures and gator bag are the most likely cause. It is very possible it is getting too hot under the plastic and cooking the tissue. I would remove the bag until fall and mulch under the tree and make sure it gets an inch of water per week. Check soil moisture before watering and don’t water until the top two inches of soil are dry. The weather we have had and will get makes watering adequately but not too much a challenge.