These maples didn’t look bad from far away.
But up close was a different story.
These Red Maples were probably planted 10 or 15 years ago. Looking at the damage to the trunk, I can only assume they experienced frost crack several years ago.
For more information on Frost Crack, see the article below:
https://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/2597
The trunk damage was all on the same side of the trees facing south.
Typically, maples will begin moving sap in late winter/early spring.
Think of when we tap maples for sap to make maple syrup.
If that sap freezes on a chilly night, and the sun comes out and warms the trunk, that frozen sap can expand splitting the bark open.
Think of a frozen copper pipe that splits.
That’s probably what happened to these maples.
The question is ‘Will they survive?’ They may hang on, but they won’t thrive.
These open wounds can predispose trees to insect infestation and rot/disease.
So, it is better to remove them and start over in my opinion.
But trees are resilient and can hang on for a while as this Crimson King Norway Maple can prove. From one side it doesn’t look bad.
But the other side shows damage and canopy loss.
And up close, a damaged trunk.
It’s up to the homeowner or business. But healthy trees provide beauty and are more resistant to insects and diseases than damaged ones.
