Can our tree be saved or is it dying? - Ask Extension
Is our tree dying? We moved into our home last fall and were first time home owners still trying to learn about our trees. It’s developed these sort...
Knowledgebase
Can our tree be saved or is it dying? #878033
Asked July 20, 2024, 1:55 PM EDT
Is our tree dying? We moved into our home last fall and were first time home owners still trying to learn about our trees. It’s developed these sort of lines/cracks in a few different spots around the tree and some spots look like they have algae or something else going on. It’s still growing leaves but small branches have been falling off in all of the storms but we’re not sure if it’s just because it’s a big tree and they seem to be falling off all the trees in our area. The old telephone line is not touching the tree but going through connecting to our neighbors home. We’ve had several neighbors have giant trees fall in the last couple months and are worried about ours.
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Your maple has what appears to be frost cracks on the side with a long vertical crack. Enlarging the picture reveals that at least half of the trunk area with a hollow is still intact. The hollow should be left alone. If there is enough solid wood left, the tree will remain stable.
Algae may be normal if it is on the north side of the tree. Storms have been breaking leaflets off of trees.
I hope that there is no plastic under the white rock at the base of the tree. Plastic keeps air and water from reaching the soil and the tree roots. The tree flare is visible so the soil level has not been raised too high. See these web pages.
https://trees.umn.edu/sites/trees.umn.edu/files/2021-10/frost_cracks_and_cankers_faq_sheet.pdf
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/frost_cracks_in_trees
Download the tree owner's manual for general information.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5368392.pdf
Whats wrong With My Plant? for any future problems
https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/
Algae may be normal if it is on the north side of the tree. Storms have been breaking leaflets off of trees.
I hope that there is no plastic under the white rock at the base of the tree. Plastic keeps air and water from reaching the soil and the tree roots. The tree flare is visible so the soil level has not been raised too high. See these web pages.
https://trees.umn.edu/sites/trees.umn.edu/files/2021-10/frost_cracks_and_cankers_faq_sheet.pdf
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/frost_cracks_in_trees
Download the tree owner's manual for general information.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5368392.pdf
Whats wrong With My Plant? for any future problems
https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/
