Tree Bark - Ask Extension
Does anyone have any idea what's going on with this tree bark? The tree was placed in the summer of 2017 and seems to be thriving otherwise.
Knowledgebase
Tree Bark #843793
Asked August 02, 2023, 10:19 AM EDT
Does anyone have any idea what's going on with this tree bark? The tree was placed in the summer of 2017 and seems to be thriving otherwise.
Arapahoe County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello there and thank you for using Ask Extension.
Thank you for sending the photo. I am wondering when you first noticed this crack? Also, what type of tree is this? Your young tree appears to be of the thin barked variety, like a maple. These types of tree are more prone to frost cracks and sun scald. What directions is this crack facing? Southwest facing sides are most prone to this problem.
Here is an article from Cornell University on frost crack and sun scald that describes the problem and what to do. (Note: It does recommend fertilization, however that isn't necessary in your case, assuming you fertilize the lawn where it resides. Your tree will get enough nutrients from the lawn fertilizer.)
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/barksplitting.pdf
You should consider wrapping your tree next fall to prevent this cracking in the future. Here is an article from CSU that describes the method.
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/653.pdf
Sounds like your tree if pretty healthy, so it should be able to naturally heal the wound.
If my assessment does not seem to fit. Let me know and send me some more photos, specifically of the entire tree.
Good luck.
Thank you for sending the photo. I am wondering when you first noticed this crack? Also, what type of tree is this? Your young tree appears to be of the thin barked variety, like a maple. These types of tree are more prone to frost cracks and sun scald. What directions is this crack facing? Southwest facing sides are most prone to this problem.
Here is an article from Cornell University on frost crack and sun scald that describes the problem and what to do. (Note: It does recommend fertilization, however that isn't necessary in your case, assuming you fertilize the lawn where it resides. Your tree will get enough nutrients from the lawn fertilizer.)
http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/barksplitting.pdf
You should consider wrapping your tree next fall to prevent this cracking in the future. Here is an article from CSU that describes the method.
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/653.pdf
Sounds like your tree if pretty healthy, so it should be able to naturally heal the wound.
If my assessment does not seem to fit. Let me know and send me some more photos, specifically of the entire tree.
Good luck.
