what is this? I hope it isn't Hypoxylon Canker

[RaYel]

I recently discovered a split in the bark of my Live Oak. This was following a really bad freeze from 2021 in DFW, Texas area.

I was spraying water at the hole, and it popped out another hole about 6+ inches higher on the tree. I thought to myself, "ah oh!, this doesn't look good!".

After peeling away some bark, I discovered this, any idea what it is?

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Well, not hypoxylon, or it would have already woken up in Elyssium, lol. Best guess at this point is freeze related cambium separation, almost like a sun scald. Which direction does the wound face? Southward?

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Pics of the rest of the tree and surroundings would help as well

 

[RaYel]

Here are some more pics. Yes, the wound is facing the southwest. When looking directly at the two oaks then I'm facing east.

 

[Raintree]

It's most likely an old trunk wound, tree was hit years ago and is now showing up. Also a possible girdling root has killed the trunk area above it. Similar to what appears to be going on at appropriate 8ft on the tree trunk. Is that clothes line wire choking your tree?

 

[RaYel]

The black rope is a non knotted hammock rope.

The white one was tied up higher for something to pull on to rock the hammock. Neither were strangling the tree last time I inspected a couple of weeks ago. I'll double check, though.

 

[RaYel]

any recommendations on how to treat the tree to help it heal faster?