Sugar maple issue

[ChipDoogle]

At first I thought it was a pathogen, but after seeing it all over the whole tree I thought It to be environmental. Do you think this could be sunscald? It is a sugar maple around 15 years old. The bark on the top of all the main branches is split, and when you peel it back it is compartmentalized the area. The cracks are all over the entire tree. Do you think there is any hope for this tree or do you think removal is nessecary? Pics at link below


http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/ind...iewPicture&friendID=420516551&albumId=1468800

 

[rarefish383]

Since that tree is going to grow rather fast, and have a lot of heavy foliage, all those damaged areas are going to be week. I'd start over, Joe.

 

[ChipDoogle]

Since that tree is going to grow rather fast, and have a lot of heavy foliage, all those damaged areas are going to be week. I'd start over, Joe.

Yeah you are right about the tree being weak for sure. Have you seen any cases of sunscald like that, and do you know if sugar maples are more prone to it than other species. The tree is in the front lawn on the north side of the house so it gets sun all day.

 

[rarefish383]

I've seen Norway Maples that were topped out sun scald and look just like that. On all of your pics there is white fuzzy stuff that looks like aphids, but I don't know them to do that kind of damage, Joe.