Neighborhood Trees

Question: Me neighborhood has a few of these tress lining the road, they all look like they are losing bark and have a this discoloration on them. They seem to get worse each year. Is there anything we can do to improve the health. Its the ones with the reddish leaves in the last picture. There are about 6/7.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 23, 2023, 12:00 PM EDT
response: Hello,  I am trying to determine the type of trees they are. Based on the leaves, I believe they are red maple trees.  Could you please send me a close-up image of a leaf - Thank you!

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 23, 2023, 1:16 PM EDT
response: Hello,  Management Strategies The trees may be too far gone or too late to repair. Recommend having an arborist do the below procedure!!  When a split occurs on a tree, what should you do? In recent years, quite a bit of research has been done on closure of tree wounds. These investigations have indicated that tree wound paints are of little value in helping a tree to callus over. For this reason, do not paint or try to seal a split with paint or tar. Tracing the bark around the split can be very helpful in aiding wound healing. With a sharp knife, starting from one end of the split, trace around one side of the wound, about 1/2 to 1 inch back from the split bark. Stop at the other end and do the same procedure on the opposite side of the split. Knives should be sterilized between cuts by dipping them for several minutes in a 1:10 bleach: water solution or a 70% alcohol solution to avoid contaminating the cuts. Carefully remove the bark from inside the traced area. You should now have a bare area resembling the diagram in Fig. 2. Remember to leave this untreated. A tree growing with good vigor usually calluses over quickest. Encourage vigor in the tree with yearly spring fertilizer applications -- and be sure to provide adequate irrigation in hot, dry weather. Bark splits will often close over completely leaving a slight ridge in the trunk where callus tissue has been produced. From the article: Bark Splitting on Trees: Various - Cornell University - At this link: http://www.plantclinic.cornell.edu/factsheets/barksplitting.pdf  I recommend you hire a certified arborist.  They can do an onsite evaluation of the trees. They can tell you if the tree is worth saving. And they can do Bark Tracing to remove/repair the split. Certified arborists have training in plant selection, care, diseases/pests; and have passed a certification test. It costs a little more but is minor compared to the value of this tree. I think it is about $70-$100   To Find an Arborist by Zip Code go to this link: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch  Additional information:  The bark falls off after frost, which usually happens on the tree’s south or southwest side. Any sudden swing in temperature can make trees shed bark and crack under stress. Check out: Frost cracks in trees - At this link:  https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/frost_cracks_in_trees#:~:text=Below%20zero%20temperatures%20can%20create%20some%20unique%20problems,extend%20deep%20into%20the%20wood%20of%20the%20tree.  Check out: Frost cracks and winter damage to trees - At this link:  https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/frost_cracks_and_winter_damage_to_trees  The bark falls off after excessive heat, which, like frost damage, strips the bark down to the wood. Check out: Bark Splitting on Trees - At this link: https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/SP630.pdf  The bark falls off an unhealthy tree, which means you’d see other signs of stress such as cankers, sap, or dead leaves and twigs.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 23, 2023, 3:29 PM EDT
response: Hi. I was advised to have an arborist come look at the trees. Does Michigan State extension provide one by chance? I am not sure I can afford one and there are about 6 trees     Get Outlook for iOS   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 12:00:24 PM To: Joanna M. Miller <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Neighborhood Trees (#0101446)     You don't often get email from <personal data hidden>. Learn why this is important

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 23, 2023, 5:45 PM EDT
response: (empty)

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 23, 2023, 5:58 PM EDT
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responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 23, 2023, 6:10 PM EDT
response: Hello,  First, because these are old injuries, I have no idea how long these trees are going to last.   In lieu of retaining an arborist, I would strongly suggest you provide good tree care and encourage the tree to grow.  Here are some things that will help: 1. Re-direct sprinklers so they don't hit the trunk of these trees. 2. Pull mulch from the base of these trees. 3. If you haven't had rain, water deeply at the base of the trunk. 4. For winter protection: To prevent sunscald, wrap the trunk with commercial tree wrap or plastic tree guards; if using tree wrap, put it on in the fall and remove it in the spring after the last frost. I hope this helps!

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 23, 2023, 7:07 PM EDT
response: Thank you. I went outside and counted. we have 11 of these trees along my street and across the street. All of them appear to be in the same condition.     Get Outlook for iOS   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 6:10:05 PM To: Joanna M. Miller <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Neighborhood Trees (#0101446)     You don't often get email from <personal data hidden>. Learn why this is important

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 23, 2023, 7:10 PM EDT
response: You are welcome - Have a great day!