Unusual bark of Crabapple Tree - Ask Extension
Is there something wrong with my Royal Raindrops Crabapple tree? It is 10 yrs. old. Deer do walk through our yard but not sure if there is any connec...
Knowledgebase
Unusual bark of Crabapple Tree #780533
Asked January 20, 2022, 4:17 PM EST
Is there something wrong with my Royal Raindrops Crabapple tree? It is 10 yrs. old. Deer do walk through our yard but not sure if there is any connection. This last fall of 2021, I noticed the bark looking so different than all other years. Is this a disease?
Washington County Minnesota
Expert Response
There might not be anything wrong with the crabapple tree but the photos lack the detail needed to be sure.
Bark that peels or flakes superficially is normal for some trees including crabapples. However, if heartwood is exposed when bark drops, disease or injury is usually indicated.
Squirrels sometimes damage tree bark but we can't tell whether that's happening to the tree shown in the photo.
So far as we can tell by viewing the photos, your tree's bark loss is superficial.
Learn more here:
https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/buffalo/Yard/Peeling%20Bark%2006-11-2016.pdf
Bark that peels or flakes superficially is normal for some trees including crabapples. However, if heartwood is exposed when bark drops, disease or injury is usually indicated.
Squirrels sometimes damage tree bark but we can't tell whether that's happening to the tree shown in the photo.
So far as we can tell by viewing the photos, your tree's bark loss is superficial.
Learn more here:
https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/buffalo/Yard/Peeling%20Bark%2006-11-2016.pdf
