Blaze Maple Injury

[Jake_m8]

Hello tree experts! I’m wondering if anyone has any input what has happened to my autumn blaze maple. I’m in Minnesota and it has just started to get hot. This tree was transplanted from a nursery a few years ago. It has been growing and seemed perfectly healthy! I just noticed today this large scar on the south west side. The tree has total exposure to the west/south/East. I’m hoping this is something that will heal but I’m wondering if I should take action to help it heal. Any suggestions/info are appreciated! Thanks!

 

[JD3000]

Look into sunscald and "southwest disease"

 

[Basswood]

I was going to post the same. Wrap trunk with burlap through the winter.

 

[Jake_m8]

Thanks for the info. I’ve looked that up as recommended and came to the conclusion that I need to wrap it as well. What seems odd to me is that this recently happened. Probably in the last 1-2weeks. And we haven’t been near freezing temps for a while now...

 

[oldoakman]

The cambium died in the winter in that spot. The expansion of the trunk due to a new layer of wood forming happened in the last few weeks, thus the split now.