Maple Tree Ice storm damage split seal repair?

[woodhunt]

I have a Maple tree, not sure what type, that partially split in January ice storm. This has left a large area of trunk exposed. I will not remove the tree, if it dies, it dies, no point killing it. It's a nice healthy tree other than some problem with tar spot in late summer. I cleaned off the split portion as best possible leaving the bottom sloped so water would drain.

Should I treat the exposed area with sealer or leave it be? Despite this occurring during maple sap running season, it didn't bleed too badly as I would have expected.

pics attached, can do more if needed. Probably have a summer full view somewhere.

 

[tomtrees58]

well the tree will never recover from a tear take that don't pant or any thing down the road replace it tom trees

 

[treeseer]

Nourish roots below the tear so it can grow more scar tissue.

tree will be high maintenance at best.

Experiment with sealants if you want--Lac-Balsam is one if you can find it.

Check other forks for included bark and prune or support to lessen risk of splitting. The next break may hit something valuable--best to get an arborist to inspect all your trees.

 

[woodhunt]

Thanks for the tips

thanks to all for the tips. I'll check the local nursery for the protectant. The tree may or may not live, but the way I figure, if i kill it, it won't, if I let it be, I have at least a 50/50 chance.

 

[treeseer]

if I let it be, I have at least a 50/50 chance.

chance...of what?

Where are those odds coming from?

Do nothing and you will have a lot of weight held up by a lot of rot. Odds are closer to 99% that in time that tree will fail from that tearout.

You may want to move whatever is under it.

 

[pdqdl]

Tree sealants are not typically recommended anymore: no one seems to be able to show that they help the tree in any measurable way. Insecticidal seals may afford some benefit.

You might consider a stain of similar color to the bark. It will make the injury less noticeable.

It looks like that branch was destined to come down anyway. You should have pruned it back before it fell off. That branch on the opposite side looks like it might have the same problem: weak narrow crotch with enclosed bark. You might want to consider pruning it before it peels, too.

Send us some pics of the other side, we'd rather give helpful opinions than "can't help you" opinions.

My guess is that tree will be fine for another 15 years. Prune carefully, watch for rot.

 

[woodhunt]

Tree sealants are not typically recommended anymore: no one seems to be able to show that they help the tree in any measurable way. Insecticidal seals may afford some benefit.

You might consider a stain of similar color to the bark. It will make the injury less noticeable.

It looks like that branch was destined to come down anyway. You should have pruned it back before it fell off. That branch on the opposite side looks like it might have the same problem: weak narrow crotch with enclosed bark. You might want to consider pruning it before it peels, too.

Send us some pics of the other side, we'd rather give helpful opinions than "can't help you" opinions.

My guess is that tree will be fine for another 15 years. Prune carefully, watch for rot.

Thanks for providing some helpful ideas. I've attached more pics, one of the other side close up, an overall, and a partial overall of the "before" taken June 2007.

My local nursery also advised against any sealant and said local extension agency promotes same. I hadn't thought of pruning the other branch, it would be a huge difference in the tree, nearly 1/3 of what is left, but would be willing to do so if really necessary to extend life. It can't hurt anything by falling other than the tree itself like the other did.

If I can get several years or 15 out of this tree, that's all I would ask for. It's not a fall hazard to anything, and it's great shade & privacy. That term will allow me to rethink the overall back yard plan and get something in place to get some size before it comes down. You can already see by the "before" pic that I have brought my yard a long way from the barren view of the house behind with nothing but weeds and rusty chain link fence. Needs some more long lived and evergreen though.

Any advice on preventing or reducing black spot? That is about the only weakness I have had with this tree up to now, and it's been less the last two years coming on later in the season.

 

[pdqdl]

Yep. That branch needs to go. It's not a bad crotch, but the tree will be better off without a major lead that low in the tree.

I don't think you need to hurry about it, though. You should begin doing what is called "subordination" to it. Basically, you keep nibbling at it until the tree diverts more energy into other branches.

You should see if you can prune out the tips of leaders in that problem branch, and thin about 1/3 of it before the spring growth. Next year, take another 1/3rd off that limb, and polish it off the year ofter. Try to remove branches from the top and middle first, and finish with removing the bottom.

In this fashion the tree will be growing new growth from branches higher up to fill in where you have removed from the lower branch. In addition to being better for the tree, you will avoid the "OMG! What did they do to that tree?" look.

Incidentally, by following this process, you are also reducing the likelihood of that branch failing before it is removed.

Sorry, can't help you on the leaf spot problem. I've never seen it, and have never treated for it.

 

[Bushman_269]

I've seen plenty of ice damage like that in the woodlots I cut in. Trees with damage like that rarely make it more than a year or two before we end up having to take them down. Your odds of it dying are waaaay less than 50/50.

 

[woodhunt]

Thanks PDQDL for the helpful pruning information. I'll have to see if I can dig up a pic of the black spot. I've searched and found info before calling it black spot or tar spot. Basically just black spots that form on the leaves mid to late summer that start out small and get to a little over 1/4". A type of fungus I think. Only help I have found is good leaf disposal in fall. I've done better at that, but it's a challenge, because they all seem to drop right in the middle of deer season!