Crabapple Tree Bark Peeling: Sunscald Diagnosis and Care

Diagnosis: Sunscald (Winter Injury)

Bark peeling on south/west trunk exposure indicates sunscald. Winter sun thaws bark cells; night freezing ruptures them. Young, thin-barked trees (crabapples, maples, lindens) are most susceptible.

Treatment Steps

1. Remove loose bark - carefully cut away hanging bark to clean wound edges. Don't cut into tight bark.
2. Do NOT apply wound dressing - traps moisture, promotes decay.
3. Protect from borers - spray wound with Merit insecticide.
4. Consider systemic - Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Control soil drench (if fruit not eaten).
5. Fertilize - 10-10-10 at 1 lb per inch trunk diameter. Scatter, water in.
6. Prevent future sunscald - wrap trunk with tree wrap paper each fall until bark roughens.

Long-Term Outlook

Tree will form callus tissue over wound. Crack itself rarely kills tree; main risk is borer entry. With care, tree recovers fully.

Pruning Caution

Heavy pruning on neglected trees exposes shaded bark to sun, causing sunscald. Prune in stages over years.