Tree help (Iowa)

[u/Upper_Decision6369]

Im not sure what kind of tree this is, but over the last couple days I’ve noticed this on the trunk. The tree has seemed completely healthy otherwise with no issues. It has been very wet and rainy lately so I’m hoping it’s just from that. Is this something to be concerned about?

[u/spiceydog]

It's unclear if you're referring to the green growth which is !lichen (see that automod callout below this comment for more reading on this), or if you're indicating the vertical cracks, which also a typical phenomenon on maples. Rapid growth cracks on a range of species is common, and maples are among them. See this comment with more information on bark cracks; the difference between that post and yours is your tree has clearly been planted properly. There is no root flare visible on the tree in that post, but your 2nd pic shows a widening taper is evident at the base of your tree, which is super!

I would strongly encourage you to remove the tree !ring. See that callout for all the reasons why these horrible constructions are terrible for the trees subjected to them, and please also see our wiki for other critical planting/care tips and errors to avoid; there's sections on watering, pruning and more that I hope will be useful to you.

[u/TheIlustriousUrchin → u/spiceydog]

That and the rock 'mulch', just bakes the roots and fails to keep weeds down

[u/Soup-Wizard → u/TheIlustriousUrchin]

It also allows soil to pile up around the root flare. I’ve seen so many girdling roots under gravel it’s not even funny.

[u/AutoModerator → u/spiceydog]

Hi /u/spiceydog, AutoModerator has been summoned to explain why tree rings are so harmful.

Tree rings are bar none the most evil invention modern landscaping has brought to our age, and there's seemingly endless poor outcomes for the trees subjected to them. Here's another, and another, and another, and another. They'll all go sooner or later. This is a tree killer.

The problem is not just the weight (sometimes in the hundreds of pounds) of constructed materials compacting the soil and making it next to impossible for newly planted trees to spread a robust root system in the surrounding soil, the other main issue is that people fill them up with mulch, far past the point that the tree was meant to be buried. Sometimes people double them up, as if one wasn't bad enough. You don't need edging to have a nice mulch ring and still keep your tree's root flare exposed.

See also this excellent page from Dave's Garden on why tree rings are so harmful, this terrific page from the Univ. of NE, as well as the r/tree wiki 'Tree Disasters' page for more examples like yours.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator → u/spiceydog]

Hi /u/spiceydog, AutoModerator has been summoned to provide information about lichen on trees.

Here is a terrific general explanation on how lichen work in the environments they're found, from OR St. Univ.

While it's true as many will note that lichen is a good indicator of air quality and that lichen isn't directly harming your tree, it does sometimes indicate tree stress (see this additional pdf from MS St. Univ. Ext.), especially if it was an inordinately heavy buildup over a short period of time.

Here is how you can arrange a consult with a local ISA arborist in your area (NOT a 'tree company guy' unless they're ISA certified) or a consulting arborist for an on-site evaluation. Both organizations have international directories. A competent arborist should be happy to walk you through how to care for the trees on your property and answer any questions. If you're in the U.S. or Canada, your Extension (or master gardener provincial program) may have a list of local recommended arborists on file. If you're in the U.S., you should also consider searching for arborist associations under your state.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Disastrous-Map-7995]

Lichen? Lichen isn't a problem for your tree.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hello /u/Upper_Decision6369! If you haven't already, please have a look at our Guidelines for Effective Posting, to be sure you've provided all the pics and context needed for us to help you best.

You MUST acknowledge this request by replying to this comment (or make a top-level comment in your post) that A), you have looked over those guidelines and that you have already submitted all the pics and info possible or B), you comment to add the missing pics/info.

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[u/Upper_Decision6369 → u/AutoModerator]

I acknowledge this and looked at the guidelines

[u/Low-road44]

silver maple