Maple tree bark rot? - Ask Extension
I have a silver maple tree which has had the bark on one side of the trunk fall off this summer. The bark pieces feel damp, but the tree trunk seems d...
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Maple tree bark rot? #201700
Asked July 23, 2014, 12:21 PM EDT
I have a silver maple tree which has had the bark on one side of the trunk fall off this summer. The bark pieces feel damp, but the tree trunk seems dry (notice the cracks in the trunk visible in pictures) The tree otherwise seems healthy as there is plenty of new growth. Is there something wrong with the tree?
Cass County North Dakota
Expert Response
Good morning,
While I don't know what killed this section of the bark and I don't see any fungal decay in the pictures, I would be a little concerned. This wound may heal on its own (it appears to be), but it may not. This may be the beginning of a general decline in tree health and/or structural stability.
As long as the wound continues to callus over (the rolls of bark on the edges of the wound), it should recover well. If that growth stops, or if the tree starts to have dieback in the crown, then you might want to have a tree service or your city forester come out and recommend treatments.
Try to keep the tree otherwise healthy by watering appropriately (every 10 days to 2 weeks, if there is no rain) and holding back on mid-summer fertilizing (we don't want the tree to go into winter still green and tender).
If you have any more questions or need more information, please let me know. Best wishes with your tree,
While I don't know what killed this section of the bark and I don't see any fungal decay in the pictures, I would be a little concerned. This wound may heal on its own (it appears to be), but it may not. This may be the beginning of a general decline in tree health and/or structural stability.
As long as the wound continues to callus over (the rolls of bark on the edges of the wound), it should recover well. If that growth stops, or if the tree starts to have dieback in the crown, then you might want to have a tree service or your city forester come out and recommend treatments.
Try to keep the tree otherwise healthy by watering appropriately (every 10 days to 2 weeks, if there is no rain) and holding back on mid-summer fertilizing (we don't want the tree to go into winter still green and tender).
If you have any more questions or need more information, please let me know. Best wishes with your tree,
