Maple tree losing large section of bark

[Blokhead]

Just peeled off a big section of loose bark off this tree. Don't really see any bugs or fungus on it. Trunk is dry, and not oozing. Doesn't seem to be rotted at the base. We had a fairly mild winter, lots of snow, but no really frigid days here in northeast Ohio. Any ideas on the cause? I like this tree, and it appears to be healthy otherwise.

 

[Raintree]

Most likely a restriction of sap flow from a girdling root.

 

[Blokhead]

Thanks for the reply. Never even heard of that. Do you think its that big root in the last pic, and should I dig around it, and expose more of the trunk?

 

[Raintree]

At this point it's best to leave it alone. Mulch beds are a trees best friend, water when dry. Restricting roots are all too common on planted Norway maples. The fix should have been done many years ago.

 

[250R]

What ever caused the maple to loose its bark happened many years ago. Judging by the callus wound would I would say approx.15 years. Maples are thinly barked trees and doesn't take much to damage them. Many scenarios how this happened. Only a guess at this point. On the large wound I would say it started from the ground up. Remove all the loose bark, trying not to damage the healthy bark. You can also try bark tracing too to clean it up. (It's important to remove the dead bark. Insects will harbor under it and cause further damage). This will help closing of the wound. Crimson King is my favorite broad leaf maple.

 

[wagz]

do you do the mowing? wonder if someone hit it with a mower at some point and damaged it....

 

[Blokhead]

I appreciate the replies. We've only lived here for a little over 4 years. House built in 1976. the 2 previous owners did little to no tree maintenance/pruning. Lots of other tress have mower damage. Too bad because the apple, and pear tress are so overgrown with lots of dead wood. I've don a lot of pruning, but had to remove a couple tress already.

 

[250R]

The maples' days are numbered. enjoy it for now.

 

[esean]

Cut it down now and plant a native maple. That tree will never be a large healthy tree and will be a hazard in a yard. Not sure about the Crimson King variety, but Norway maples are invasive in some areas. A sugar (or red if soil's acidic enough) may be a better option if you want a maple shade tree.