Acer x Freemanii losing bark in vertical swaths, white fungus

13 years ago

Hello.

I don't know if there's any hope for my ~10 year old Acer x Freemanii. Last winter, apropos of nothing it seems, a 5 ft high by 6 inch wide swath of bark separated from the tree and fell off. White shroomy-type fungus has started to grow there. On the opposite side of the tree, a second set of vertical cracks has appeared. Whether this too will lead to bark loss remains to be seen. You can see photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/114904993565114771258/SickMaple?feat=directlink

So far this summer, the growth has been more vigorous than ever, and the foliage looks very healthy, but I suspect this may be some last hurrah before the thing croaks.

Any adivce/thoughts? THanks.

Comments (2)

jean001
13 years ago
The bark that fell off was covering an old wound and just now "let go." In other words, the tree was damaged a number of years ago.

The white mushrooms are growing in the dead wood that was behind the dead bark.

As for "more vigorous than ever," I don't see many leaves at all.

If the tree were mine, I'd start over with a healthy tree which I'd plant this fall.
rebuscannebus
Original Author
13 years ago
Just to be clear, the reason you aren't seeing in leaves in the photo album is b/c it was winter when I snapped the photos. I have since added two more to http://picasaweb.google.com/114904993565114771258/SickMaple?feat=directlink to illustrate its current state. The asymmetrical crown may make the foliage appear a little sparse, but be assured that's not the case. And as I mentioned, growth has been vigorous this season. Do you still advise to cut my losses (so to speak) and start over? THanks again.
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