Maple Tree Advice - Bark Issue - Ask Extension
Good morning -
I'm hoping you could advise on how I could treat or care for the maple shown in the attached images. My guess is that this is due t...
Knowledgebase
Maple Tree Advice - Bark Issue #849127
Asked September 08, 2023, 12:15 PM EDT
Good morning -
I'm hoping you could advise on how I could treat or care for the maple shown in the attached images. My guess is that this is due to rapid temp changes. I was told that tree wrapping is NOT the best approach for treatment, as it may cause moisture build-up and potentially a fungus to grow..
Could you provide an alternative solution? Do I let the bark fall off, leaving the tree exposed to the upcoming Fall / Winter seasons?
Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide.
Scott County Minnesota
Expert Response
Looking at your photos, what you have are frost cracks, sometimes called sun scald. There is nothing you need to do. Usually trees will cordon off the injury and heal themselves. They are very good at this. As long as the rest of the tree looks healthy, you don’t need to protect it in any way.
Here is some information that will help you.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/frost_cracks_in_trees
https://trees.umn.edu/sites/trees.umn.edu/files/2021-10/frost_cracks_and_cankers_faq_sheet.pdf
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/protecting-trees-and-shrubs-winter