Why Is Bark Falling Off My Tree?

falling barkThick bark is one of the many hallmarks of a healthy tree. Should you be worried, though, when you see falling bark? Is the tree dying? Is it molting the way reptiles shed their skin? We’ll explain the many potential implications when trees shed their bark.

Why Does a Tree Experience Falling Bark?

Some tree species, such as oak, maple, ash, and pine, grow from the inside out. As new bark develops, it pushes the old bark out.

As long as you see new bark in place of the old, then rest assured that the tree is progressing normally. However, a tree may not be healthy if the falling bark is accompanied by these additional symptoms:

  • You see falling bark as a response to a sudden temperature change. Temperature fluctuations cause the bark in an unhealthy tree to crack under the stress.
  • You see other signs of a diseased tree, such as dead leaves, leaky sap, and cankers. See our July post for a description of tree cankers.
  • You see fuzzy fungus growing near the base of the trunk or holes from burrowing insects.

Do these signs indicate a dying tree? The only way to know for sure is to bring in a tree service for an analysis. A lack of bark, though, is certainly a common symptom when our crew removes a dead tree.

The tree may also be stressed but not dying. In this instance, it may just need some watering and mulching.

We’ll Analyze Your Tree

With the New Year comes the peak of winter. Your tree may not respond well to the weather. Call our emergency tree service for a checkup. Pro-Cut Tree Service will analyze the tree’s health and determine the appropriate steps. Falling bark is not necessarily a cause for alarm; so you should keep an eye out for other symptoms.

Tree Health Checkup
