Japanese Maple Losing Bark

[Vee]

I have a Japanese maple that was planted two years ago, in the fall. This past summer, I noticed some of the bark flaking off the two major/large branches.

It was a hot summer, so I ended up running some undermulch dripline which I ran twice a day for 30 minutes a day. I only watered during the hottest days, which ended up being almost all of August. (90 degree + in the DC area)

I've attached pictures of the tree and the two branches, up close.

The picture of the tree is taken from the south looking north, so I am wondering if it is a result of the sun? Should I cover the bare branch with some kind of coating? I do own a can of "Pruning Sealer/Tree Wound Dressing", by Bonide?

Thank you for any help. I'd love to keep the tree alive!

 

[greengreer]

Looks like it is planted too deep from from the last pic. Get some of that mulch away from the root collar. You want to be able to see the trunk flare out at the base. You may want to do a full root collar excavation and check for girdling roots as well. The bark is coming off because of stress, no need to apply anything on the wound. Get rid of the stress and monitor for pests, and let the tree heal itself.