Sun Scald

Wrap the trunks of newly planted maples during the winter months to prevent sunscald. Sun-scald occurs in the winter when the sun heats the bark on the southwest side of a tree, the tissue breaks dormancy, then when the sun goes down, the bark freezes again, causing tissue damage. In the spring, you will notice dead, sunken areas underneath the bark

A tree can heal from the damage but it is best to prevent it in the first place. A paper or fabric wrap put around the tree trunk any time the leaves are off of the tree help insulate and reflect heat reducing the chance of sunscald. Be sure to remove the wrap in the summer months as it can harbor insects or girdle the tree.

If the tree already has damage. It’s best to keep the tree as healthy as possible with proper watering and fertilization. We also recommend applying Ferti•lome Tree and Shrub Insect Control to help prevent borer infestation. If the damage isn’t too severe it should heal itself.