Question
QUESTION: My maple tree is approximately 13 years old and has done well until this year. At first we noticed a split in the bark at the trunk with some sap flow. Now 4 months later, I just peeled away a large piece of bark from the bottom of the trunk. There were some grubs and what appeared to be ants. The upper branches are showing some leaf loss. I live in the Memphis TN area and we have had regular rain fall with only a few days in the upper 90s.

ANSWER: Sounds like an insect called a borer. These will enter the trunk and cause a swelling and cause the bark to peel off at the wounds. Most borers attack only trees that are stressed due to drought, injury or disease. Consequently, any means of promoting vigorous tree growth should be considered the primary approach for borer management. Fertilize with 10-10-10 fertilizer at a rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter. Scatter this around the tree and water in good.

Spray the trunk with an insecticide called Onyx now and again in April. This should kill the borers in the trunk. And in the spring kill any adult borers laying eggs. Another insecticide that can be applied to the soil around the tree is called Bayer Advanced Tree an Shrub Insect control. This will prevent attack by several insects. Here is a web link to this product. Check with your local nursery for these products. http://www.bayeradvanced.com/product/Tree-Shrub-Insect-Control/concentrate.html

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QUESTION: Do I need to do something to the open area where the bark is missing? Should I wrap it with something or spray it with something?
Thanks

Answer
You do not need to to anything except cut any loose bark from the wound. With time the wound will heal over. Wound dressing will slow down the healing process. Watch the area for signs of borer damage--sawdust. holes in the wood--if these are seen spray the Onxy again.