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2 maple trees in our yard with bark splitting #770199

Asked September 01, 2021, 11:52 AM EDT

This summer we see two somewhat mature (probably 10-15 years old) maple trees in our yard with the bark on the southwest side of the trunks split wide open. We wonder what could cause that and if these trees are likely to survive. The first 2 pictures are of one tree, that sits out in the open, and the third is the trunk of the second tree that has more shade on it.

Oakland County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello

Thanks for contacting us.  The cracks in your trees' bark are frost cracks.  They typically occur in maples which are thin barked.  It especially occurs on the south facing trunk and is caused from the bark freezing in the winter and then, during sunny days, that bark tissue heats up and expands, thus causing the bark to crack.

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to 'fix' this bark now.  If you have newly planted trees, you can wrap them to help prevent this.  You do have to remove the wrap each year.  Or, in the case of apple trees, their trunks are often painted with a white latex paint to help reflect the sun's winter rays.

Here is an MSU Extension article that explains more about frost cracks:  https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/frost_cracks_in_trees

An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 01, 2021, 1:26 PM EDT

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