Bark Shedding on Mature Mulberry: Stress, Lightning, or Decline?

27-year-old fruitless mulberry in Las Vegas: bark cracking and falling off after neighbor's pruning last year. Other tree 15 feet away fine. Will I lose it? Is it contagious?

Bark Loss = Serious Stress

Bark separation from wood indicates cambial death. Pruning didn't cause it—it revealed existing stress.

Possible Causes

• Lightning strike (past, hidden damage)
• Root damage from construction/grade change
• Drought/heat stress (Las Vegas climate)
• Vascular disease (canker, wilt)

Prognosis

• Not contagious—neighbor tree unaffected
• If bark loss encircles trunk → tree will die
• May linger years with partial bark
• Dead branches won't releaf
• No cure—monitor and wait

Management

• Remove dead wood
• Deep water monthly
• Mulch to drip line
• Plan for eventual replacement