Crack in Horse Chesnut Tree

[abritton90]

My first time posting so I hope I came to the right thread. I recently moved into a new home that has a horse chestnut tree which unfortunately has a big crack in the trunk as well as leaves that are covered in brown spots (rust?) I don’t know much about trees so was wondering if anyone could help me diagnose and some tips to treat it. The crack also seems to have some substance oozing out of it, near the bottom black area.

 

[TNTreeHugger]

Until a real arborist like @ATH chimes in, I'll throw in my two cents...
1) planted too deep
2) cracks from freezing?

I would rake away the mulch volcano to expose the root flares

 

[abritton90]

Until a real arborist like @ATH chimes in, I'll throw in my two cents...
1) planted too deep
2) cracks from freezing?

I would rake away the mulch volcano to expose the root flares

Hahaha mulch volcano. Okay sounds good!

 

[abritton90]

My first time posting so I hope I came to the right thread. I recently moved into a new home that has a horse chestnut tree which unfortunately has a big crack in the trunk as well as leaves that are covered in brown spots (rust?) I don’t know much about trees so was wondering if anyone could help me diagnose and some tips to treat it. The crack also seems to have some substance oozing out of it, near the bottom black area. View attachment 934525

Also would anyone recommend using stuff like artificial bark? I know that it doesn't help to heal an already damaged tree but I was wondering if it would help from any insect and diseases getting into the wound... anymore tips would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to save this tree if I can.

 

[TNTreeHugger]

Also would anyone recommend using stuff like artificial bark? I know that it doesn't help to heal an already damaged tree but I was wondering if it would help from any insect and diseases getting into the wound... anymore tips would be greatly appreciated. I'd love to save this tree if I can.

I think first you have to get to the root of the problem.
From what I've read on other threads, the bugs appear after the damage, to munch the dead wood.
Seriously, get all that mulch away from the base of the trunk.
Then post another photo.

This is what the base of your tree should look like


Not this

 

[Raintree]

Leaf blotch
Frost crack
Very common on horse chestnut.

 

[abritton90]

Leaf blotch
Frost crack
Very common on horse chestnut.

Ah! I thought it was leaf blight. Thanks for the tip. I’m glad to know it’s mostly an aesthetic disease.

Edit: I think leaf blight and blotch might be the same thing. I'm a newbie. Please spare me haha

 

[abritton90]

UPDATE!!

I figured I should come back and post an update.. I took the advice to get rid of the mulch volcano and here was the end result. It was about 4 inches of soil and mulch removed from around the tree base before I could see the beginning of the root flare. I did not want to expose the root flare as I am worried about it's first winter being more exposed than the last but this is what I accomplished. Does anyone have an words of advice?

I added a before + after for reference photos.

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

Allie

 

[TNTreeHugger]

Good job!
I think I see a lot of surface feeder roots and the beginning of some root flare?
I would gently dig the soil away that's close to the trunk, maybe 6" out and 6" deep, and see what's there.
You may want to wait for a pro to reply though.

 

[Raintree]

No need to keep digging, leave it alone.