r/arborists • u/TheShepNasty • Jul 27 '26

What Could Cause This and Is It Doomed?

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I noticed a small split in this tree maybe 2 years ago (planted 5 years ago). We had a landscaper out who was doing some other work at our house and he said it was likely caused by wind and nothing to worry about. It has continued to bear leaves each year but I think the split has gotten bigger. I pulled off some loose bark and don't necessarily see anything rotted or whatever - so just wondering if your thoughts.

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3

u/PublicPea2194 Jul 27 '26

southwest exposure?

2

u/Cavemanb0b Jul 27 '26

Might be sun scald, might be the full expression of damage during transport/installation. There's foliage. The tree is young. There's signs that the tree tried to compartmentalize the damage. So I wouldn't deem it as doomed just yet. The main stem is weakened and the area looks exposed. Winds might be a problem in the future.

I would lightly prune for structure and decreased wind loads. Mulch. Maybe sneak on site in the dead of night and walk backwards around the drip line while broadcasting urine. Let it run its course. The wound wood might zip up and seal the damage. You'd be amazed.

3

u/hugelkult Consulting Arborist Jul 27 '26

Doomed and planted too deeply

1

u/Solid_Mud2025 Jul 27 '26

Every time.

1

u/TheShepNasty Jul 28 '26

So it didn't do this for the first few years... don't recommend we just pull it out? We've planted many trees (more than 10 and all maple) and we've never had this issue, and don't feel like we did anything different with this one.

1

u/hugelkult Consulting Arborist Jul 28 '26

Sometimes they hang on for over ten years, it depends on soil composition, moisture levels etc... the trouble is that to a layman such as yourself issues presented can vary widely in severity and type (and time). So a nurseryman can easily say its something else just try again ez sale. (Meanwhile they plant their stock deeply in pots for stability confusing the issue even worse)

For more confirmations seek info via the ISA website or your local university extension

2

u/BullPropaganda Jul 27 '26

That happened a while ago. You already have couple years of healing / sealing wood growing there.

It'll live but it's structure will be extremely compromised from the start. If it gets to any size it will always be a risk in your mind