Sick maple tree - Ask Extension
I have a maple tree that does not seem to be budding properly, losing some bark and on the underneath of the bark it looks like some type of bug is ma...
Knowledgebase
Sick maple tree #864570
Asked April 15, 2024, 11:09 AM EDT
I have a maple tree that does not seem to be budding properly, losing some bark and on the underneath of the bark it looks like some type of bug is making trails. Who or how can I fix this.
Livingston County Michigan
Expert Response
Can you please send pictures of the entire tree, closeup of the budding, and the tunnels under the bark?
And please send a little more information, i.e., How old is the tree? Are there any dead or dying branches? How did it look last year? Has the soil around the tree been subject to any heavy machinery? Has the bark been damaged by some kind of impact? Any information you can provide will be helpful. Thank you.
And please send a little more information, i.e., How old is the tree? Are there any dead or dying branches? How did it look last year? Has the soil around the tree been subject to any heavy machinery? Has the bark been damaged by some kind of impact? Any information you can provide will be helpful. Thank you.
One other note, I think it could have been damaged by a storm as one large branch did come down at some point.
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Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 21, 2024, at 10:12 PM, Jennine Kendzie <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
I will send some pictures in a few emails. The tree started looking a bit off last year. I believe the tree to be about 30 years? There is a middle trunk that looks to be dead along with the limbs coming from that piece.Thanks, Jennine
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On Apr 16, 2024, at 9:19 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
I will send some pictures in a few emails. The tree started looking a bit off last year. I believe the tree to be about 30 years? There is a middle trunk that looks to be dead along with the limbs coming from that piece.
Thanks, Jennine 
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Sent from my iPhone
On Apr 16, 2024, at 9:19 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Hi Jennie,
Thank you for the pictures!
It is difficult to determine if a canker infected the tree through a wound or if the insect damage alone caused the wound and the branches to die. I suspect the former, as cankers in thin barked maple can be quite common, and the bark on the trunk appears to have a large wound will callus tissue surrounding it (it's the thicker, rounded wood along the side of it). Insects are often attracted to limbs that are weakened by a canker disease.
More close up pictures might help me narrow down the cause (stress the word might). Or, it may be wise to hire a certified arborist to come out and take a look at the tree onsite, where all of the factors can be viewed and considered.
You can find a certified arborist by using the International Society of Arboriculture's search tool at the link below.
https://www.treesaregood.org/
Thank you,
-Julie
Thank you for the pictures!
It is difficult to determine if a canker infected the tree through a wound or if the insect damage alone caused the wound and the branches to die. I suspect the former, as cankers in thin barked maple can be quite common, and the bark on the trunk appears to have a large wound will callus tissue surrounding it (it's the thicker, rounded wood along the side of it). Insects are often attracted to limbs that are weakened by a canker disease.
More close up pictures might help me narrow down the cause (stress the word might). Or, it may be wise to hire a certified arborist to come out and take a look at the tree onsite, where all of the factors can be viewed and considered.
You can find a certified arborist by using the International Society of Arboriculture's search tool at the link below.
https://www.treesaregood.org/
Thank you,
-Julie
