The bark on my Lacebark Elm is peeling off in 1/4" thick sheets. - Ask Extension
The bark on my 20 year old Lacebark Elm is peeling off in 1/4" thick sheets. This is occurring on the trunk and all main branches up to and near the t...
Knowledgebase
The bark on my Lacebark Elm is peeling off in 1/4" thick sheets. #745492
Asked April 21, 2021, 12:41 PM EDT
The bark on my 20 year old Lacebark Elm is peeling off in 1/4" thick sheets. This is occurring on the trunk and all main branches up to and near the top of the canopy. The gap between the bark and the tree trunk itself approaches 1/2". In other areas the bark is peeling completely away in thick sheets. Is this a result of the big freeze and does it have negative implications for the health of the tree?
Bell County Texas
Expert Response
Those area of branch with the loose bark are dead. Looking at the photos, even if there were living bark tissues on the other side of the branch the extent of damage isn't something the tree can close over. Therefore those limbs should be removed or in time they will pose a falling hazard.
There is a good possibility this is the result of the hard freeze, especially if everything looked normal going into the winter season.
Skip
There is a good possibility this is the result of the hard freeze, especially if everything looked normal going into the winter season.
Skip
