Red Maple white trunk - Ask Extension
Hello, I’m concerned the Red Maple in our front yard might be diseased/dying. The trunk had a white ring around it at the base and a growing crack. ...
Knowledgebase
Red Maple white trunk #846854
Asked August 22, 2023, 4:48 PM EDT
Hello, I’m concerned the Red Maple in our front yard might be diseased/dying. The trunk had a white ring around it at the base and a growing crack. I’m wondering if adding compost/fertilizer/mulch around it would help?
Washtenaw County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
Based on what I see in your single image, look at Maple Decline - Collar Rot and Basal Canker Complex in the section - Control - Treating the disease maple at this link:
https://kenosha.extension.wisc.edu/files/2020/09/Maple-Decline-A2532.pdf
Also, based on what I see in your single image - the trunk does have lichens - Check out: What are lichens and what are they doing on my tree? - Bert Cregg, Michigan State University Extension, Departments of Horticulture and Forestry - May 01, 2015 - Lichens are two-part organisms that are self-sufficient and harmless to their hosts. At this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what_are_lichens_and_what_are_they_doing_on_my_tree
Also, according to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University, Red Maple trees have a shallow root system and thin bark, which makes them prone to pests such as leafhoppers and borers - Check out: Red Maple at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/red_maple.
You should get a confirmed diagnosis from the MSU Diagnostic Plant & Pest Lab - Please email your digital image prior to bringing or sending physical samples. It can be sent to <personal data hidden>.
MAKE SURE IN THAT E-MAIL YOU INCLUDE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER!!
Be prepared. The lab may ask for more images - THE LAB WILL LET YOU KNOW IF A SAMPLE NEEDS TO BE SENT - There is a $20-25 dollar fee (if they need a sample sent).
Lab email: <personal data hidden>
Lab phone:<personal data hidden>
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
PLEASE READ BELOW ON PREPARING YOUR SAMPLE (if the lab needs a sample)
From the lab: Please do not ship samples on Fridays. They thank you for your patience and understanding.
Every sample must be accompanied by a completed submission form. Please place the form in a separate resealable bag to prevent it from getting damp or soiled. The form is at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/uploads/files/General_Sample_Submission_Form_May2022.pdf.
Complete details of submitting a sample are at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/submit-samples/
PLEASE NOTE: The other option is to hire a certified arborist - who will come on-site, evaluate the tree as a whole, and give a diagnosis and a plant health care guide. Direct link: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch
I hope this helps!
Based on what I see in your single image, look at Maple Decline - Collar Rot and Basal Canker Complex in the section - Control - Treating the disease maple at this link:
https://kenosha.extension.wisc.edu/files/2020/09/Maple-Decline-A2532.pdf
Also, based on what I see in your single image - the trunk does have lichens - Check out: What are lichens and what are they doing on my tree? - Bert Cregg, Michigan State University Extension, Departments of Horticulture and Forestry - May 01, 2015 - Lichens are two-part organisms that are self-sufficient and harmless to their hosts. At this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what_are_lichens_and_what_are_they_doing_on_my_tree
Also, according to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University, Red Maple trees have a shallow root system and thin bark, which makes them prone to pests such as leafhoppers and borers - Check out: Red Maple at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/red_maple.
You should get a confirmed diagnosis from the MSU Diagnostic Plant & Pest Lab - Please email your digital image prior to bringing or sending physical samples. It can be sent to <personal data hidden>.
MAKE SURE IN THAT E-MAIL YOU INCLUDE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER!!
Be prepared. The lab may ask for more images - THE LAB WILL LET YOU KNOW IF A SAMPLE NEEDS TO BE SENT - There is a $20-25 dollar fee (if they need a sample sent).
Lab email: <personal data hidden>
Lab phone:<personal data hidden>
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
PLEASE READ BELOW ON PREPARING YOUR SAMPLE (if the lab needs a sample)
From the lab: Please do not ship samples on Fridays. They thank you for your patience and understanding.
Every sample must be accompanied by a completed submission form. Please place the form in a separate resealable bag to prevent it from getting damp or soiled. The form is at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/uploads/files/General_Sample_Submission_Form_May2022.pdf.
Complete details of submitting a sample are at this link: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/submit-samples/
PLEASE NOTE: The other option is to hire a certified arborist - who will come on-site, evaluate the tree as a whole, and give a diagnosis and a plant health care guide. Direct link: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch
I hope this helps!
