Hi: I have a 15 year old cherry tree, about 4.5 metres high (red sweet cherries) which flowered and gave Cherries for the first time in at least 6 years. Great bounty, but it coincided with the trunk, which is about 15 cm in diameter, to split vertically in a gash of about 30 centimetres long. It is open in two layers, the outer bark and an inner layer. The core is exposed and it has a fine vertical crack. The tree seems healthy otherwise. However, I am wondering if there is anything I should do, or if the tree will be fine on its won or whether it is doomed. I live in southern Ontario, so I am worried about the winter.
It sounds like your tree has a frost crack due to fluctuating winter temperatures (sometimes called sunscald). Thin barked tress, such as cherry are particularly susceptible. Visit this link for more information. There is little that you can do. The tree will do its best to fend against insects and disease by forming callus and sealing the wound. Raakel
