Damage to the cambium layer results in a callous forming and the outer bark splitting. If it is from hail the damage should be on one side of all of the trees, the direction the wind was blowing from. The other thing i think it might be from is rapid growth caused by fluctuating weather conditions. Had it been dry before the storm? Also, are your trees in containers and watered regularly? Personally, i would dissect a branch to see if a callous has formed and if there is any infection spreading before treating the splits with anything.

hoosierbanana:

When I first noticed these thin splits in the bark, I thought they might be some type of expansion cracks. I grow my trees in containers, so lack of water isn't the issue here. I'm inclined to think that these are some sort of response to the impact from the marble-sized hailstones that trashed my trees. Bark splits are mostly only on the surfaces that are directly exposed to the elements, and hailstones.

After the trees go dormant, I'll prune out a branch or two and see what's going on. I'm almost certain that the branches are not diseased.

Thanks for the ideas. Much appreciated.

Frank

By the way, is your name a reference to Paw-Paws? Just curious.

You got it Frank. I think the name has a nice ring to it :)

I thought your name might be a Paw-Paw allusion...or, .....never mind...... :) :) :)

Can you believe that instead of growing figs, I once wanted to grow some Paw-Paw trees but was turned off because they take so long to start producing fruit, and, you need at least two to tango. I simply do not have the room, nor the patience, for "a work in progress" that may take years to produce edible fruit. Fig trees give quick results, and... on new wood! My attention span gets shorter as the years pass by....so, no Paw-Paws for me. My loss I'm sure.

I would love to eat - one day - some of this 'exotic" fruit. I heard it is delicious.

Best regards,...Frank