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Preventing Split Bark
Spring inspection sometimes reveals a mysterious vertical split in the bark of some trees. Usually, fairly
young trees are affected on the south and west side of their trunks. Southwest damage starts in late winter
when the sun warms the tree enough to cause sap to rise. As night falls, the sap freezes and is trapped in
the trunk. If this occurs frequently, a split develops in the trunk. Eventually, the wound becomes wider
and the bark around it becomes loose or detached. The split is an entry point for bug infestation and disease
during the growing season.
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An easy way to wrap susceptible trees is to use perforated coiled plastic tube wraps. They last a few years,
because they expand with increasing tree girth. Their pale color reflects light, and the perforations allow wet
bark to dry. Be sure to wrap the coils well up the trunk so that coverage extends above the snowline. For
aesthetic reasons, remove the coils during the growing season. Strip wraps, which do not expand easily and are
more laborious to apply, should also be removed. If left on over a number of years, they will strangle a growing tree.
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Avoiding Branch Breakage
Broken Branches are caused by heavy snow loads and ice build up. Selective tree and shrub pruning will help prevent
such damage. Be on the lookout for weak tree crotches where excessive snow and ice loads may cause branches to tear
away from tree trunks.
Thinning cuts will allow snow to sift through the plant canopy and build up gradually from the inside out to support
branches. A dense canopy allows snow to build up on top of branch tips and eventually, branches break or the shrub
splits.
After a snowstorm, use a broom to brush off as much snow as you can. For crusty snow, use the broom handle to poke
holes and break up large chunks. The smaller pieces will shed easily when the wind blows. Be careful not to break
brittle branches with the broom.
Heavy-duty A-frames made of plywood should shield foundation plantings that are subject to ice and snow slides
from the roof. However, a better solution is to grow foundation shrubs away from such hazards. Avoid planting
directly under roof eaves.
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