Does anyone know what is wrong with my maple tree?
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I just noticed this about 2-3 weeks ago. Our weather during this period was in the mid 20’s to low 30’s and snowy for a few days then getting very cold 0’s for a few days. On and off like this for the last month. Could this be the cause? Whatever this is will it kill the tree?
This is on several limbs. Some are covered with this off white growth and other places the bark is shredded.
Do you know what type of maple this is? Here is some information for you... https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/peeling-bark-on-trees
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/maple/maple-tree-bark-disease.htm ***** http://www.arbordoctor.net/redmaple.html ***** Click on a photo and go to the site.....https://www.google.com/search?q=maple+tree+bark+diseases&biw=1002&bih=476&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiZ4M2x0c_RAhVsyoMKHWwVCjgQsAQINw&dpr=1.36
that branch is dead and rotten
I have branches like this. The cause of my issues are squirrels eating bark and woodpeckers. Not sure about whitish growth, maybe fungus from being dead?
We had damage something like yours, and our Extension Agent told us that it was squirrels and not to worry about it. So far no real lasting effects.
The limb is not dead or rotten. Now here’s another mystery. That whitish stuff that was on that one limb has completely disappeared overnight and the limb looks healthy as ever. Any one know what that could have been all about.
are you spreading mulch around base of tree? don't.
I guess its because wood chips absorb rain water that run down the trunks so the roots vget little mos wow cant backspace to make corrections! tree roots need that run down.....rocks on the other hand, not sure, but should work.. if your trees pout you'll know why
Bark or wood mulch generally does not hurt trees unless it is improperly applied (3" thick or more, pushed up against the trunk, or poor quality ...meaning made with diseased stock) and has benefits over rock. Rock doesn't generally need to be replaced, but it also does nothing to help the soil or by extension the tree. If you want to help a tree, dress the root area with some good compost about 1/2" to 1" thick, then lightly mix it in if you can, then top dress with 2" of mulch. Compost feeds the tree organically, and mulch helps keep the roots cool and retains moisture.
Janet's advice is perfect. Rock looks nice but does nothing. Too much mulch can kill the tree. My story: we purchased a house which had a very nicely shaped maple growing in the middle of the yard. One day, while sitting under its shade, I look straight up and see a hole in its canopy. Leaves seemed a little small. Following year, tree is leafing out (small leaves) and they promptly fall off of tree. I called in a tree doc and he tells me it had girdling root caused by the large planter box (about two feet deep) the previous owners built around the base. There was nothing that could be done to save tree at that point. You cannot mulch deeply around the base of the tree. Don't volcano mulch. Janet's advice to add an inch of compost and then a layer of mulch won't suffocate your tree.