Q. I have a Chitalpa tree that faces west with lots of
direct sunlight. The tree bark has separated from the trunk leaving the inner
portion of the tree exposed. There are very few leaves on the tree. Help!
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| Not the treaders tree but if chitalpa like this is put in a part of the landscape without enough water applied over a wide enough area under the canopy then the tree can struggle. |
A. The tree trunk has sun damage. Probably because the
tree’s lower limbs were removed too soon. This sun damage has caused the bark
to be easily lifted from the damaged part of the trunk. Sunburn has cooked the
living part of the tree that faces West while the side facing East may still be
alive.
tree’s lower limbs were removed too soon. This sun damage has caused the bark
to be easily lifted from the damaged part of the trunk. Sunburn has cooked the
living part of the tree that faces West while the side facing East may still be
alive.
 |
| This is sunburn on a locust tree. This side is facing the sun, probably the south or west side. The tree is surrounded by rock and t his can reflect alot of heat and light back at the trunk and cause greater damage. Paricularly if the tree was limbed too high at the start. |
Sunburn
of the trunk can leave it exposed to other problems like wood boring insects
(borers) and diseases like sooty canker. Let’s hope it is just sunburn on the
trunk causing the poor growth.
of the trunk can leave it exposed to other problems like wood boring insects
(borers) and diseases like sooty canker. Let’s hope it is just sunburn on the
trunk causing the poor growth.
 |
| Locust tree has sunburn on the upper surface of its limbs. |
My
concern is that the tree might be surrounded by rock. Reflected heat from the
rock can damage the trunk if the tree was pruned so the lowest branches are
removed. Not a good idea when the tree is young and the trunk susceptible to
sun damage.
concern is that the tree might be surrounded by rock. Reflected heat from the
rock can damage the trunk if the tree was pruned so the lowest branches are
removed. Not a good idea when the tree is young and the trunk susceptible to
sun damage.
When
trees are young, leave the lowest branches attached to the trunk to help shade
it from sun damage, particularly from the West side. Remove lower branches when
the trunk gets older and develops a thicker bark layer that insulate it from
direct sunlight.
trees are young, leave the lowest branches attached to the trunk to help shade
it from sun damage, particularly from the West side. Remove lower branches when
the trunk gets older and develops a thicker bark layer that insulate it from
direct sunlight.
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| Tree wounds like this large one can heal by the cambium layer “rolling over” the damaged area and eventually burying it. |
If there
are no insect and disease problems, the tree will heal itself by “rolling over”
its new growth on top of the damaged area. The tree just needs adequate water
and fertilizer to do this.
are no insect and disease problems, the tree will heal itself by “rolling over”
its new growth on top of the damaged area. The tree just needs adequate water
and fertilizer to do this.
Apply
water to a large area under the canopy. This area should be at least half the
area under the canopy. Apply enough gallonage so the applied water wets the
soil to 18 inches deep. Although this tree can handle a rock landscape, water
it as frequently as fruit trees and other non-desert landscape trees.
water to a large area under the canopy. This area should be at least half the
area under the canopy. Apply enough gallonage so the applied water wets the
soil to 18 inches deep. Although this tree can handle a rock landscape, water
it as frequently as fruit trees and other non-desert landscape trees.