Question
Split trunk
Jim., I have two maple trees with severely split trunks. I saw your response to a previous question but that trunk was not as severe as mine. Since these trees are near a fence and pool I'm worried that they could fall and cause lots of damage.
Thanks for your help.
Rick
AnswerMaples have a thin bark and any wound or injury can cause the bark to make a wound like this. The wound is healing *notice the growth around the edge of the wound). I would spray the area of the trunk with an insecticide called Onyx or Merit--this will prevent any borers form entering the wound. Check with your local garden type store or nursery for these products. Do nothing to the wound--like wound dressing- this will slow down the healing process.
Fertilizing the tree with 10-10-10 at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter will help the overall health of the tree and allow the wound to heal faster. Scatter the fertilize around the tree and water in good--or apply the fertilizer just before a rain storm and you will not need to water it in.
