Question
Silver Maple Split Bar
My approximately 7-8 year old silver maple's bark started to split this spring. It has continued to crack and the bark is starting to pull away from the tree. The tree now has leaves starting to grow from the main branches of the tree...right out of the bark. I'm assuming we are going to lose the tree since the bark is peeling away but I wanted to know what may have caused this so we may try to prevent it when we plant a replacement tree. Thank You
AnswerIt sounds like a case of sunscald. Young maples are particularly susceptible to sunscald. Sunscald is basically a bark injury and the tree will usually quickly recover. The bark splitting isn't something you can really do anything about after the fact.
Sunscald or sunburn occurs in late winter when the sun is bright ?especially if new snow is on the ground. Sunscald usually occurs on the south or southwest side of a tree. Thin bark on the tree is warmed enough to become active. When temperatures fall sharply at night, the inner living bark is killed. Thin-barked trees such as maple are most susceptible, especially when young.
Control: Sunscald on newly planted trees may be prevented by wrapping the trunks with burlap, kraft paper or special tree wraps. Trunks may also be shaded on the south and west side with boards or screens. The tree wrap can be found at most nurseries.
Usually trees are effected one one side of the trunk--but in your case the bark is effected looks like around most of the trunk, Sorry there is little hope for this tree. Normally I would say cut the loose bark off --this would speed up healing and spray the area with Merit to keep borers from entering the wound. IF the crown is still alive you can try this but if the branches have died and you are only getting sprouts from the trunk I would go ahead and replace it this Fall. Sorry.
