Tulip Poplar Burlap Left On Trunk: Sunscald and Borer Risk

Tulip poplar planted last year with burlap wrapped 3-4 ft up trunk. Bark lifting/splitting 1 ft up. Tree otherwise fast-growing.

Problem: Burlap Causes Sunscald

Wrap should be removed at planting. Left on, it traps heat, expands bark cells, causes cracking (sunscald). Cracks invite borers.

Immediate Fix

1. Remove all burlap from trunk.
2. Spray trunk with Merit (imidacloprid) to kill/prevent borers.

Tree should recover if caught early. Never leave wrap on past spring.