I have several large maples that I planted three years ago. I water them a couple of times a week and support with tree gator bags. I noticed that this summer, the bark split and cracked and seems to shed off in chunks. Can anyone tell me why this happens and what I could do to prevent it in other trees? I'm in the mid Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. Thanks very much.
If it is sunscald I wonder why you didn't notice it much earlier, in spring? For sunscald to develop you need very cold, below freezing temperatures at night followed by very sunny, warm weather during the day. Did you have that kind of weather in winter in Cowichan Valley? Is the damage only on the S-W facing side of your trees? Sorry to say this, but regardless of what is the cause of the injury, in my opinion the tree on the picture has a little, if any, chance of survival. In the future, if you planted a new one forget about treegator bags and water twice a week with a spot sprinkler only in the first year after planting. Next year deep watering once a week during summer will be sufficient, after that, in subsequent years water only in case of prolonged drought. And don't over fertilize, either.
Sunscald perhaps, but as soon as the bark is gone, fungus and diseases are prone to invade the tree. I'm afraid this tree is a goner. I also think that "treegator" and such devices are among the best ways to kill a tree, IMO.
Thank you for your responses. I think I will just wait it out and see how the tree does. What other option do I really have? As for the anti-tree gator bag comments, what evidence would lead you to those conclusions? They are well used in the valley to sustain us through our summer drought periods and I have never heard any negative comments about them before...
There is an interesting discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of treegator bags on houzz . . . treegators? Any good?
