Strange bark damage - Ask Extension
I have a two-year-old pawpaw that has bark damage. It happened this year, which could be sun scald, but it also looks like insect activity. The tree i...
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Strange bark damage #813228
Asked October 04, 2022, 11:13 PM EDT
I have a two-year-old pawpaw that has bark damage. It happened this year, which could be sun scald, but it also looks like insect activity. The tree is planted where it only gets mid day sun, as there are tall ponderosa within 50ft in all directions. It gets watered twice per week with drip. The first year the tree was in the ground it was shaded, but this year I did remove a small burlap shade. It's gotten minimal care beyond keeping the weeds at bay. Any idea on what the bark damage is from and how to proceed?
Deschutes County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi Emalee:
The pawpaw is usually pest free, so I don't believe insects are the cause. Your planting location under the protection of larger trees and watering cycle sound spot on. Sunscald could be causing the damage, but I believe it may be growth cracks caused by the rapid summer expansion of the sapwood. These small growth cracks will callus over and heal rapidly.
The pawpaw is usually pest free, so I don't believe insects are the cause. Your planting location under the protection of larger trees and watering cycle sound spot on. Sunscald could be causing the damage, but I believe it may be growth cracks caused by the rapid summer expansion of the sapwood. These small growth cracks will callus over and heal rapidly.
Thank you for your question,
Hello. I am following up on a question I asked last year about possible insect activity and damaged tree bark. Ext said it was sun scald injury, which I skeptical (as it was on all sides of tree, under and on top of branches). I finally found an answer - it most resembles the pattern of cicada laying eggs with an ovipositor. And there were indeed cicadas observed in the yard last year. I wanted to pass it along for future questions (although ciacdas are not that common here).
I'm referencing the info here (second photo matches damage):
Thanks, have a good week!
Emalee:
Thank you for the update.
The comparison picture of damage does look the same and if you spotted cicadas in your area, that could have caused the damage. Your original question did not say that the damage was all of the branches and I could not determine that from the pictures you sent. We are always learning here at the extension office and I am happy to add this to my "brain box".
To prevent future damage, you may try any of the following:
1. Hose the cicada's off with a hose, if you see them.
2. Place foil around the trunk of the tree, so the emerging nymph cannot climb the trunk.
3. Use tree netting to cover the tree.
The good thing is they are not around very often, so your tree should be able to recover nicely.
Thanks for checking back in.
Have a great day,
Thank you for the update.
The comparison picture of damage does look the same and if you spotted cicadas in your area, that could have caused the damage. Your original question did not say that the damage was all of the branches and I could not determine that from the pictures you sent. We are always learning here at the extension office and I am happy to add this to my "brain box".
To prevent future damage, you may try any of the following:
1. Hose the cicada's off with a hose, if you see them.
2. Place foil around the trunk of the tree, so the emerging nymph cannot climb the trunk.
3. Use tree netting to cover the tree.
The good thing is they are not around very often, so your tree should be able to recover nicely.
Thanks for checking back in.
Have a great day,