ADVICE. arakawa Losing bark

[Markclea]

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Hello,
I recently observed that the bark on my Arakawa maple is loosening. Upon closer examination, I discovered woodlice beneath the bark. I’ve already removed the affected bark. Should this be a cause for concern? Could you advise any further actions I should take? Also, is it possible for the bark to regenerate?

Thanks in advance

 

[coachspinks]

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Hello,
I recently observed that the bark on my Arakawa maple is loosening. Upon closer examination, I discovered woodlice beneath the bark. I’ve already removed the affected bark. Should this be a cause for concern? Could you advise any further actions I should take? Also, is it possible for the bark to regenerate?

Thanks in advance

Hello, sorry to see that happening to your tree. It is suffering and the portion where the bark is coming off is likely dead. Woodlice normally appear once the wood begins to degrade but are not the cause of the problem. Does your tree have leaves? Any green under the branches?
Also, it is helpful to put your location in your profile

 

[0soyoung]

The basic problem here is that the cambium died along this line because the chop and removal of the branch that would have been poking one in the eye (in this view).
Consequently, there was insufficient auxin flow along this line to keep the cambium alive. With maples, this death typically this happens over winter, the cambium at the periphery grows to close the wound and then the bark over the dead cambium lifts in the course of the following season. Then, in spring one (including bugs looking for cover) notices the loose bark. In brief, the damage was done two seasons ago.

Now, just be patient as the damage will close just like the chop wound. To this end, I do suggest that you apply a wood hardener to the exposed wood as new cambium will not grow over punky wood (it will over just about any hard surface = concrete, epoxy putty, etc.).

 

[Markclea]

Hello, sorry to see that happening to your tree. It is suffering and the portion where the bark is coming off is likely dead. Woodlice normally appear once the wood begins to degrade but are not the cause of the problem. Does your tree have leaves? Any green under the branches?
Also, it is helpful to put your location in your profile

Thanks for your reply.

The tree looks in good condition from the front. It’s full of leaves. ThIs is a picture of it now.
It was given to me about 6 months ago.

 

[Markclea]

The basic problem here is that the cambium died along this line because the chop and removal of the branch that would have been poking one in the eye (in this view).
Consequently, there was insufficient auxin flow along this line to keep the cambium alive. With maples, this death typically this happens over winter, the cambium at the periphery grows to close the wound and then the bark over the dead cambium lifts in the course of the following season. Then, in spring one (including bugs looking for cover) notices the loose bark. In brief, the damage was done two seasons ago.

Now, just be patient as the damage will close just like the chop wound. To this end, I do suggest that you apply a wood hardener to the exposed wood as new cambium will not grow over punky wood (it will over just about any hard surface = concrete, epoxy putty, etc.).

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Thank you for the detailed explanation. I appreciate your advice on being patient and allowing time for the tree to heal naturally. I will follow your recommendation to apply a wood hardener to the exposed wood to facilitate the healing process. If there are any specific products or application methods you suggest, I would be grateful for your guidance.
Best regards.

 

[MACH5]

As @Osoyoung mentioned, cutting that branch was the definitive factor in that entire are dying back. Looks to me that happened even longer than two seasons ago. I am noticing cambium starting to roll over which is a good sign. I would still check the wood to make sure it is solid and not soft and punky. If not, you would need to clean that out and fill it with either cement or two-part epoxy to allow the cambium to roll over.

Also, please do not let that Irish moss take over. It is very aggressive and does nothing for the tree.

 

[Markclea]

As @Osoyoung mentioned, cutting that branch was the definitive factor in that entire are dying back. Looks to me that happened even longer than two seasons ago. I am noticing cambium starting to roll over which is a good sign. I would still check the wood to make sure it is solid and not soft and punky. If not, you would need to clean that out and fill it with either cement or two-part epoxy to allow the cambium to roll over.

Also, please do not let that Irish moss take over. It is very aggressive and does nothing for the tree.

The mother in law damaged it when transporting it on a house move. Her husband wasn’t happy and give it to me about 6 months ago.
The damage was done about 5 years ago.

The wood is solid and Its on the todo list to remove the moss lol

 

[bwaynef]

You may want to add a wood hardener to keep it from going soft while you wait on it to heal over. If you're not entirely convinced on it healing over, consider making a uro and incorporating it into the design. If you are determined to heal it over, you may want to look into bridge grafting to speed that up.

 

[Abhishek Dasgupta]

Take it with a pinch of salt as am novice . But I would completely carve it out. Fill it with 2 part epoxy , activate the cambium around that is alive and then cover it with cut paste putty . It will take quite a few years but will heal completely especially arakawa whose healing skills are crazy . In fact I deliberately leave wires to bite into the branches and the rough back heals over in a couple of years unlike other Japanese maples which will hardly heal wire scars

 

[Shibui]

Agree with @MACH5 It takes more than a few months for bark to decay and separate from the dead wood. The damage was likely 2-3 years or more ago. I'd say the 5 year MIL damage would be the explanation here.
Definitely treat the dead wood to stop rotting if you'd like the new bark to grow over the area. Complete coverage may take quite a few years, especially if the shoots above the site are regularly trimmed.
The alternative is to carve out part or all of the dead area and make it a feature.

The good news is that this sort of die back rarely spreads so the rest of the tree should be fine.