This sounds like a stress crack, perhaps from being blown about and twisted side to side by severe winds. If so, flexion of
the tree in future severe winds very well could split any bark that has grown over the crack. And an opening in the bark is an
opportunity for all kinds of living organisms to move in.
Have the homeowner keep an eye on the tree for increased/continual cracking or organisms and to call back in if there is a no
improvement or change for the worse.
Lu
Dakota County
----- Original Message -----
From: white156@umn.edu
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 15:25:37 -0500
To: mastgar@extension.umn.edu
Subject: [Mastgar] Maple tree with a split
> A gentleman stopped in to get some info. on a crimson maple tree in
> his home landscape that has a split in the trunk. He's not sure how
> long it's been there. Said he just noticed it. The split runs about 3 ft.
> down the trunk. It's through the bark and another 1/2-3/4" deep. The
> tree is 4-5 years old, 10-12 ft. tall, trunk is 6-8" in diameter, and has
> been in good health otherwise. He wants to know how to treat the
> split. Should he apply anything to the split, should he wrap it, and if so,
> with what?
>
> Nancy White, Office Mgr.
> Stevens Co. Extension
> 400 Colorado Ave
> PO Box 269
> Morris, MN 56267
> Phone: (320) 589-7423
> Fax: (320) 589-7440
> E-mail: white156@umn.edu
>
> mastgar archives:
> http://lists.extension.umn.edu/pipermail/mastgar/
> Mastgar mailing list
> Mastgar@extension.umn.edu
> http://lists.extension.umn.edu/mailman/listinfo/mastgar
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