where i live, there are 25 or so red maples that were planted 4 or 5 years ago in a public lawn area at our riverfront amphitheater. once maples (red maples for example) have the sun scald, the tree is scarred for life. do you live with the scarring or go ahead and replace the tree? I have heard you can protect the trunks in the winter months through april during the time sunscald is a threat. Then when temps heat up you remove the wrap. Does this work? Is it necessary? If so, do you do it after the trees have damage? No protective measures were taken I'm sure. Also, when the tree is grown in the field isn't the northside of the tree suppose to be tagged so when you plant it you will be aware of the northside of the tree so that side won't get planted towards the southwest? These trees have it pretty bad. I know the tree can live for a long, long time with the damage, but it is ugly and a bad situation. My superiors had asked if they will be okay in the long run? Well, no they won't be. Any thoughts on going ahead and replacing the trees or sticking it out? Anything I can do in to help out the trees if they want to keep them? Thanks.
Dixie, Sun scald usually implies bark decay or impending decay and thereby a wound of some sort. Some issues with wrapping an already scaled tree is that the wrap, for the most part, will retain moisture near or around the damaged area. This seems to prevent healing and worsen the decay of the bark surrounding the wound. Keep in mind, my experience is related to a few trees, not many. Depending on the size of the area, this years scald will probably be compartmentalized and will heal. During that process you have a great entrance point for insects and disease. If the trees are not further damaged or infected, I think the lifespan could be quite long or uneffected. Honestly, and as unpopular as it may be, I would probably treat the wounds with a fungicide, allow them to air dry and then seal the areas. This could be a tree sealer or paint. Either in the fall or next winter, I would implement the tree wrapping program to prevent further scald. You may even want to use a white latex paint to protect the trunks and to reflect light. As far as the field grown trees being tagged for the north side, I have never seen that, although I assume it would be a good idea. Problem being, the the tag remain where it is supposed to be. Mabye the grower could paint the trunk to mark the north side. Not sure on that one.
thank you for the great info. i have a feeling they will want to keep the existing trees, so i will see about applying a fungicide, it won't hurt anything. much appreciated.
