Having trees in your landscape can add to its visual appeal. That beauty is what makes peeling tree bark so concerning to property owners. So, what causes this exfoliation, and when does it become a concern?
We provide top-tier tree care services in Flora, MS, at Barone’s Tree Pros. Consult our guide below to learn why bark occasionally sheds.
Is Bark Peeling Normal for Trees?
Peeling bark is a common ordeal for many tree species. As it grows, the tree will shed its old or dead bark to reveal newly formed tissues that will eventually become the tough outer layer.
Tree species that experience natural shedding include:
- Birch
- Sycamore
- Silver maple
Top Four Causes of Peeling Bark
If you notice healthy tissues where old bark has peeled away, the tree is likely undergoing a natural shedding process. However, the following four situations can cause bark to break apart and fall off a tree in response to injuries or health problems.
1. Environmental Stress From Weather Damage
Sometimes, the problem with peeling tree bark is related to moisture. Wet weather and excess moisture can cause bark to loosen prematurely. When sunlight hits the tree, the heat causes rapid evaporation, making the bark split apart.
2. Heat and Frost Damage
Sunscald and frost damage can also cause bark to fall off. Sunscald typically impacts the west or south side of young trees. Heat from the sun burns the bark, causing it to die and peel away from the tree.
Frost damage occurs when temperatures drop. Daily temperature fluctuations can cause the tree to form new tissues prematurely, but low overnight temperatures kill them. The result of these ongoing fluctuations is peeling bark.
3. Fungal Infections
If your affected tree is a hardwood variety, its peeling bark could be due to a fungal disease, like Hypoxylon canker. This condition causes leaves to wilt and turn yellow. It can also lead to the peeling of tree bark and the formation of dead branches.
Hypoxylon canker isn’t the only illness that can cause this symptom. Others include:
- Cytospora canker: This infection creates dead patches on bark, giving them a sunken appearance. This condition is common in willow, spruce, and poplar trees.
- Anthracnose: Although anthracnose primarily affects leaves, it can lead to browning and lesions in the bark of certain species.
- Armillaria root rot: If you notice bark peeling around the base of your tree, it could have armillaria root rot, which spreads from below ground.
4. Pests
Excessive insect activity can also cause tree bark to peel. Wood borers, like bark beetles, lay eggs and feed on inner bark tissues, which can affect the tree’s nutrient flow to its outer bark.
Contact Barone’s Tree Pros for Help With Your Tree’s Bark Peeling Problem
Are you worried about peeling tree bark? Our fully licensed and insured professionals at Barone’s Tree Pros can help with a comprehensive range of services, including tree removal, pruning, and stump grinding.
We’re the experts to call if your trees in Flora, Mississippi, have damaged bark due to insect activity or canker diseases. Call (601) 345-8090 to request a free estimate from Barone’s Tree Pros.