cracked bark on Japanese red maple

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cracked bark on Japanese red maple

Question
Hi Jim-My 7 year old Japanese Red Maple looks healthy this spring here in the Mid-atlantic region, but there is an area about the size of a softball at the base of the trunk where the bark appears cracked and damaged, almost as if something crashed into it. (I'm sure this did not happen) What causes this and what can I do to keep the tree healthy? Thanks for your help!!

Answer
It could be an insect called a borer. I would spray the area with an insecticide called Merit. This will kill the insect in the trunk. If the damage is on the Western side it also could be sunscald. Sunscald happens during the warm days of winter where the sun hits the bark. It will grow out of this. over time.

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