Ash Tree Bark Splitting or Peeling in Mesa, AZ
Is the bark on your ash tree cracking, splitting, or falling off? Have you noticed exposed wood on the trunk or a damaged area that seems to be getting larger? These changes deserve attention, especially when the tree also has thinning leaves or dying branches.
Warner at Warner's Tree Surgery has more than 50 years of experience working with trees in the Phoenix area. He evaluates the bark, canopy, watering conditions, and surrounding landscape to help determine what may be affecting your ash tree.
Watch: Why Is My Ash Tree's Bark Splitting or Peeling?
Why Is the Bark Coming Off My Ash Tree?
Bark damage is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Several problems can produce a similar appearance, and the right response depends on what caused the damage and how much of the trunk is affected.
- Sun and temperature injury: Sunscald can injure bark and the living tissue beneath it. Damaged areas may become sunken, split, or peel away. Young, thin-barked ash trees can be particularly susceptible.
- Equipment damage: Lawn mowers, string trimmers, and impacts can injure the trunk and disrupt the tissues beneath the bark.
- Insects or disease: Some wood-boring insects and diseases can be associated with damaged bark. Splitting alone does not identify a particular insect or prove that the tree needs pesticide treatment.
- Normal bark development: Shallow surface cracking can develop as a tree grows. Large loose sections with exposed wood deserve closer evaluation.
Signs That Your Ash Tree Needs a Closer Look
- Large patches of missing bark or exposed wood.
- A damaged area that continues to expand.
- Holes, sawdust-like material, or unusual staining near the injury.
- Thinning foliage or dead branches above the damaged area.
- A deep trunk crack, new lean, or movement around the roots.
If the trunk has a deep crack, the tree suddenly leans, or a large branch appears unstable, keep people and pets away until the tree can be evaluated.
What Should You Do Before Treatment?
Photograph the damaged area and the entire tree. Note when you first noticed the problem and whether watering, pruning, or nearby landscaping recently changed. Avoid pulling off attached bark, cutting into the trunk, or applying a treatment before the cause has been identified.
Have the irrigation checked rather than automatically adding more water. Keep lawn equipment away from the trunk, and avoid major pruning that suddenly exposes previously shaded bark.
Can an Ash Tree With Damaged Bark Be Saved?
Some trees can continue growing after limited bark injury. Recovery depends on the depth and extent of the damage, the condition of the remaining living tissue, and the tree's overall health. Extensive damage around the trunk or decay can make the outlook more serious. An examination helps determine whether care, monitoring, or a different course of action is appropriate.
Ash Tree Help in Mesa and Nearby Communities
For help with an ash tree in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, or a nearby Phoenix-area community, call Warner's Tree Surgery. Call to confirm availability for your address.
Call Warner: 480-969-8808
Tell Warner whether the bark is splitting, peeling, or missing, and mention any changes in the leaves or branches.