Bark splitting on ornamental plum tree
Question from Elizabeth:
I have 4 ornamental plum trees in the backyard which I have had since 2002.
They bloom the most beautiful pink flowers in spring. Lately, I have noticed that three trees have bark split.
I have used tar spray, but not sure if this is the best treatment to use for this condition. Also, I’ve noticed ants on the trunks. Is Tanglefoot okay to use on these trees?
Answer from Pat:
When bark splits on fruit trees, whether ornamental or bearing edible fruit, this is usually the result of winter damage caused by temperature fluctuations that shows up later in summer. Fruit trees, including ornamental types, have thin bark. During winter when temperatures drop and then rise again on warm sunny days the bark can suffer damage from sunscald, but you cannot see the damage then. Later in the year, during summer when temperatures rise, the outer park peels off and you see the result of the burned area beneath. Unless such splitting girdles a tree, this does not kill the tree.
Prevention includes not feeding the tree in fall. Unfortunately many newspapers tell gardeners in cold winter climates to feed fruit trees in fall, but a wiser course, especially now with global warming an issue, is winter or spring fertilization. This way you won’t trigger a spurt of growth in fall that might result in split bark.
Additionally it’s wise to wrap trunks of young trees or paint the trunks with white latex paint. It’s too bad you sprayed the split areas with tree seal since recent reseach indicates that this is not the best way to heal damaged areas. Refer to this recent advice from “the Plant Clinic” at Cornell University: http://ccesuffolk.org/assets/Horticulture-Leaflets/Bark-Splitting-On-Trees.pdf
No, do not spray Tanglefoot onto bark since this can harm the bark further. Instead, put a band of paper around the tree and spread Tanglefoot on that. However, this is a very sticky and unpleasant job!. (I know since I’ve done it and one often gets more Tanglefoot onto oneself than the tree. ) Or use other methods to control ants, such as spreading a layer of dry earthworm castings over the ground surrounding the trunk. Ants cannot walk over it. Also make sure the foliage does not touch ground.
Thank you for your reply Pat. Much appreciated and very helpful. Sorry it took so long to thank you.
Nice to hear back any time! Thanks.
Hi
My large (9foot) potted bay tree has split its bark quite badly this summer. it has been fine until now but is starting to look a little yellower than its neighbours – the bark has actually lifted off completely in places and I am worried it might die. is there anything I can do? It is one of 8 ornamental pots on display in an Italian garden, it would be dreadful if it died as it quite old and matches the others!
many thanks
Bark splitting on bay trees is usually caused by overwatering. Overwatering, overly heavy rains or lack of drainage can cause the bark to swell and then to split and this may open the tree up to diseases or pests, which might be harming your tree more than the split. Though pruning compound is not recommended to seal wounds caused by removal of branches, it is good to use a pruning compound to close up splits in bark so pests and diseases cannot invade. Before doing this, clean off the crack by using a knife to scrape away any visible pests, rot or debris so you are not simply covering over the problem. Bordeaux paste or thin slurry is also okay to put on the crack and later on after it dries, then you could apply the protective compound or sealant over the top. If winters are cold where you live and temperatures drop below 23 degrees Fahrenheit (-5 C.) you would be wise to wrap the trees and the pots to protect them from freezing. Also, the pots should be lifted off the ground so that they do not freeze and perhaps crack in winter. Another thought comes to mind, which is the size of your trees and the fact that due to their large size, you are perhaps not repotting these specimens into fresh soil mix or pruning their roots as needs to be done from time to time. It is quite likely that the roots of this bay tree have clogged the drainage hole and if so this is why this particular specimen doesn’t look as healthy as the others. A clogged drainage hole could have led to splitting bark but it also could be causing yellow leaves and eventually could kill the tree. I have had this problem with many plants that have been in containers a long time. The only solution is to roll the specimen on it’s side, slide it out of the pot, and slice a few inches of root off the bottom and off two opposing sides. A saw works well for this task. Then one has to put the pot upright again, place a piece of crockery over the drainage hole, fill the bottom with fresh potting soil, then replace the plant and put fresh soil into the two opposing sides. Next time slice off the opposite sides.
Hello
I have a large and very old flowering plum tree which I imagine is to be about 20 years old! I have pruned it over the years since living hear at my house over the last twelve years.Its agreat old tree with a huge canopy, however I noticed this year it has a huge split through the middle of the trunk! There is another split on another branch which has died,, is this an indication that I am going to lose our tree??
Splitting bark is a common problem with ornamental cherry trees and may have been caused by freezing weather or temperature swings. However, are the splits you mention located on the sunny side of the tree? If so, the problem is most likely sun scald. You mention that you have pruned this tree over the years. Could it be that you over-pruned and removed a lot of foliage that had shaded the trunk? If the trunk of a tree is heavily shaded, the bark in that area will tend to be thin. Then if it is exposed to hot sun, it may get sunburned and this may cause it to split. Sun scald can kill young trees, but since your tree is mature it is likely to recover. Cut off the branch that has died. Water and fertilize the tree. After pruning, wrap the trunks and main branches with tree-wrapping paper. Or you could paint the exposed bark with white interior latex paint. Eventually your tree will respond by growing thicker bark and growing more foliage.
I have a Flowering Plum tree in my back yard very big and old.
It is very beautiful, however the bark is splitting in my places and I’m
Conerned that I could lose it.
What should I do?
Thank you
Jim O’Donnell
I have already answered the question of bark splitting at some length. Please read that entry and note that unless the splits girdle the tree, the tree will survive. I suggest you paint the trunk with white latex paint in order to protect it from sunburn and reduce or prevent further splitting. Many parts of the country are experiencing greater heat than usual. Doubtless this heat has contributed to the problem.