What makes bark on a tree

Hardwood trees that have peeling bark may be suffering from a fungal disease called Hypoxylon canker. Peeling bark caused by this disease is accompanied by yellowing and wilting leaves and dying branches. Additionally, the wood under the peeling bark is covered with a mat of fungus.

As there is no cure for this disease, the tree should be removed, and the wood destroyed to prevent the spread of the fungus. Cut down the tree as soon as possible to prevent damage and injury from falling branches. Remember, it is always better to be cautious when it comes to the health of your trees. If you see quite a bit of bark peeling or falling off your trees, it is time to do something. At Arborist Now, our principal concern is keeping your trees as healthy as possible, which means that we do have to do some research as to why your trees are peeling.

If you are worried about the health of your trees or fear the worst, it is important to give us a call immediately.

Black, brown, or red colored lesions on the trunk and branches of trees cankers , penetrate the bark. They will cause disfigurations and branch dieback if left untreated. Cankers may eventually kill a tree. Many species of tree, both deciduous and evergreen, are susceptible to insect invasion that may result in bark falling off trees.

However, infested deciduous trees will most likely not lose their bark. Instead, noticeable holes and sawdust will be observed near the base of the tree trunk. Western Pine Beetles, on the other hand, will cause the bark to loosen and fall from the trunk. Coulter and Ponderosa pines are especially vulnerable to Western Pine Beetle infestation.

Tree for a free consultation. If you suspect that bark falling off your trees is a cause for concern, the best course of action is to get a professional assessment. Our professional arborists can identify the cause, offer suggestions for improving the health of your trees, and provide solutions for saving your trees whenever possible.

Below are the most common reasons for bark loss. Exfoliation : Trees grow from the inside out by forming layers of fibrous tissue. Two west coast pine tree species are particularly vulnerable to infestations of western pine beetles. The beetles attack ponderosa and coulter pines, focusing primarily on damaged or diseased trees.

Most prevalent in California, the insects are also found in the northwestern United States into Idaho and southeast from Montana to New Mexico. As the disease progresses, the tree's bark loosens, revealing galleries on the wood's surface that house the insect's eggs.

Tiny pieces, or flakes, of tree bark fall off from woodpecker activity designed to locate the beetle's larvae. Sycamore trees routinely shed large sections of bark, and opinions vary as to what might cause the phenomenon. One is related to the fact that thick bark may not be necessary if the tree has access to a continuous supply of moisture.

According to NYC Parks , this type of shedding might be something that the trees do because they are preparing for a long photosynthesis, and they need to be able to absorb as much sunlight as possible. Credit: Alan Levine. Another option is that the tree is simply exfoliating itself — just like we do with our skin. As we age, we need to exfoliate more and as trees age, they need to do the same thing. As it grows from the inside, its outer layers expand, and it sheds its old bark to make way for the new.

The bark on a young tree is generally smooth and flexible and can withstand the inner growth without much effect. Old bark, however, is dry and has lost much of its elasticity, causing it to crack and split as the tree grows. Sometimes, the peeling and exfoliation can be made worse by disease, drought, or insect damage. Credit: Joseph Rojas. If the bark peels more toward the bottom, it could be because of infestations.

Boring insects, such as pine beetles or Emerald Ash Borers, feed and make homes and colonies inside of the tree. This eventually disrupts the vascular system and can slowly start killing the tree. If you believe that this is the case, you absolutely need to do something as soon as possible. Call a tree care professional as soon as you can.