Bark peeling near base of 3yo maple

Discussion in 'Maples' started by provenan, Aug 28, 2024.

  1. provenan

    provenan New Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Boston, MA
    I live in New England and planted this maple several years ago, and this year it started showing peeling bark in several areas near the ground. The foliage looks fine, and I can see pavement ants climbing up and down the tree but no other visible pests. Any ideas?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    2,618
    Likes Received:
    1,415
    Location:
    Nanoose Bay, BC Canada
    Could it be that the tree was planted too deep?
    Why don't you gently scrape back the soil at the base and make sure that it is not above the root flare - where the first main roots attach to the trunk.

    Another possibility is that it has been damaged by a weed-whacker.
     
  3. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

    Messages:
    3,737
    Likes Received:
    5,497
    Location:
    nr Orléans, France (E.U.)
    Hi,

    That's a possibility...

    The damage seems to start at the junction of the rootstock and the graft, it happened on one of my trees. The sap being stopped, then the bark abose is also damaged.

    From what I can see, I think it can recover. It might take a few years, but if you "paint" the wood with a copper-based fungicide, I think it will be OK. How's the tree above?
     
  4. provenan

    provenan New Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Boston, MA
    Thanks for the tip! I will look into the fungicide. Everything above the damage looks fine.
     
  5. AlainK

    AlainK Renowned Contributor Forums Moderator Maple Society 10 Years

    Messages:
    3,737
    Likes Received:
    5,497
    Location:
    nr Orléans, France (E.U.)
    With good care of the lower part, it will be fine then...

    Fungicide : "Bordeaux mix" or the like.
     

Share This Page