Young maple tree with scar - Ask Extension
This young sugar maple planted as a sapling in 2017 (six years ago) has developed a troubling scar on its bark. It seems similar to what was on its p...
Knowledgebase
Young maple tree with scar #846099
Asked August 17, 2023, 12:12 PM EDT
This young sugar maple planted as a sapling in 2017 (six years ago) has developed a troubling scar on its bark. It seems similar to what was on its predecessor, a black maple, which was removed due to some disease or other. Is this tree afflicted with anything that is concerning?
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
The cracks are frost cracks or sunscald and the tree will heal itself. You can help your tree by pulling mulch away from the trunk so it isn’t touching the trunk. Expanding the munched area out another foot to two feet will also benefit the tree. Grass is a big competitor for water.. Your tree looks very healthy and in excellent shape after a summer long drought.
So, pull the mulch away from the trunk entirely, down to the ground level? I have pulled the mulch pulled away from the trunk a few weeks ago (I think you can see the darker area of the bark at the bottom where it was sitting against the trunk), but that isn't enough, right? derek On Thu, Aug 17, 2023 at 04:38:59PM +0000, Ask Extension wrote: >
No need for bare soil but no more than an inch against the trunk. Mulch traps moisture and that promotes rot. As long as the trunk can dry off quickly after a rain the amount of mulch is ok.
