We have a weeping cherry tree that is approximately 10 years old. We live in zone 5a, but do get some lake effects from lake Michigan. The cherry tree seems to be splitting open vertically. It is split at least halfway through now, up almost the entire length of the trunk. I have some pictures of it here. There is a bit of sap here and there in the crack. Is there anything we can do to save this tree? Or something we should know to do next time, as we will surely replace this tree if it dies.
looks like cold cracks; on very cold day, one side heats up from sunshine & expands while the rest of the trunk is cold and cracks the bark. It looks like this is a long-term problem as the injury has a big callus (the rounded part between the flat interior and the outer bark). I've hear some recommendations pro & con about wrapping (can keep the bark damp, leading to disease, and rodents can use it to hide/eat the bark) painting the trunk white (don't think this is much subscribed for any more). Perhaps the rigid white plastic you see on some trees would be helpful, especially the kind with lots of small holes that would help in letting the bark dry out? You might check with your agricultural extension for latest recommendations. Do know that this won't go away or heal itself and the wood laid down in future will always have a weakness leading back to this damage; if you cut down the tree, you'll see this as a dark line in the wood. That said, if you can prevent future damage and the tree is otherwise healthy, you could keep it. Good luck.
