Question

Elm Tree Damage   QUESTION: I have an elm tree that has begun to peel its bark in large quantities.  Attached is a picture.  Can you identify this from the photo?  And can the tree be saved?

Thanks!

ANSWER: Keever:
Depending on the type of tree, this peeling may be normal, especially if the leaves look good and the tree has leafed out well this spring. The sheets look thin. Look for deep cracks. These can be indicators of something more significant. Review any chemicals that may have been sprayed on the trunk. This is a lonshot, but could cause this.  If nothing has been done to the tree, I expect you are OK- just keep a look out. Be sure to keep stringtrimmers and lawnmowers away from the trunk- these things are adeath sentence to trees.

Regards
Steve

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Steve,
The bark sheets are thin, but not seen in this photo is peeling continuing on the main branches overhead.  No chemicals have been applied to the tree, and the area around the base is mulched so there has been no visible damage by mowers, etc.  The other thing I want to mention is the tree was pruned fairly substantially in the Fall - as can be seen by the branch stubs in the photo.  Could that be the cause?

Thank you for your quick response.  I hope the tree can be saved.

Best regards,

Keever Shropshire

Answer
Keever:
I do not recognize a bona fide infectious disease here from your photo. The tree, if established in the landscape, should recover from a severe pruning if it is encouraged by good waterings to the soil and fertilization to promote vigorous growth. You may wish to check out the appropriate methods for pruning. Stubs can create an opportunity for disease organisms to enter the tree. There are a lot of information by the US Forest Service on the web about pruning.

If the foliage looks good and doesn't start thinning I suspect it will be OK.

Steve