I am a novice and I would appreciate any help. I think that this tree is a Purple Sand Cherry tree. It has been growing very well for about 7 years. Still looks great, and I have to learn how to prune it now that its fall. Any suggestions for this would be good, But my main concern is bark splitting. is it just shedding to grow bigger? I have added pictures of the tree that has the bark splitting. We are in the Toronto, Ontario Canada area (Mississauga). Now I have read that as long as it is healthy its just growing and therefore the bark splits to allow room for growth ( it seems to be healthy ) Thank You Melion2
Thanks for the reply, that sounds like a serious problem. The web says: Cytospora canker is a fungus problem that damages bark and Cytospora canker is a fungal disease which can be controlled by pruning diseased branches. If this disease infects the trunk, the tree will often need to be removed.
I have had similar bark splitting on both my Plum and Peach trees. As it is always on the south west sides of the trunk, I believe that it is caused by growth spurts. The autum afternoon sun on the S/W sides heats the bark up nicely, whereas the rest of the trunk is in semi-retirement and in a power struggle. I covered the open scars with pruning paint and all is going along nicely. The open scars are an invitation for insects and funghi, so I treated the trunks with Tanglefoot and spray sulphur/lime/copper as required.
