Why does bark split on maple trees

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Fact-forward news for readers like you who want to know more. Subscribe today. The stress crack may not have been visible to the homeowner, but the scarring shows that the cause was from an external force. In the next picture, you can see cracks running vertical up and down the tree. Again, it is impossible to say what caused the cracks in the bark or when they occurred.

However, there are several reasonable possibilities. In the spring, if it warms up enough for the tree to start moving fluid up the xylem and then it freezes, the fluid inside those tubes can expand and rupture the outer bark. Lightning strikes can also fracture the bark, but that damage is usually more pronounced and easier to identify. Sunscald Southwest Winter Injury — In the winter months, the south and southwest sides of young trees are prone to sunscald.

This condition occurs on warm winter days when the bark exposed to the sun heats up substantially and is then exposed to freezing temperatures. This super-heating, followed by super-cooling, frequently causes the death of the inner-bark.

Such injuries only become visible during the spring growing season and appear as sunken or discolored bark, which splits and may fall off in patches. This damage presents an avenue for pests and diseases to attack the tree successfully.

This condition may also occur on the trunk and branches of mature trees if they were heavily pruned in the fall. When you detect that your tree is suffering from sunscald, treatment involves letting the tree work to heal itself. Damaged areas of the bark or limbs should not be filled with a sealer or painted. Lightly trimming the wound tracing the injury with a sharp knife to help the tree compartmentalize the exposed area and wrapping the damaged area with a light-colored tree wrap can help accelerate the healing process.

She holds a master's degree in journalism. By Sarah Moore. Related Articles. Split Bark Symptoms Although bark splitting is a normal process, allowing the tree to grow to wide diameters, it should only occur on outer layers if the tree is healthy.

Sun Damage Maples are unfortunately prone to splits both from sun and frost damage.