I just noticed this the other day. My maple tree this spring has developed a crack/split in the trunk almost running down the entire length. When feeling the portion that hasn't cracked yet, it's almost as if on that side of the trunk it is not as round as the other. This side of the trunk is facing the west and the tree is at least 3 yrs old. Other than the split, the tree seems to be healthy.

No.

If it is mulched like the tree in the background that is a no no with maples. Root knees should be exposed.

EDIT- Just reread that this faces West. Most likely caused by sun scald which when a cold front comes and the West facing sun warmed bark doesn't handle the temp change as well as the bark that isn't sun heated.
https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/SP630.pdf

Thanks. It is mulched like the other. It's always been that way since our house was built.

I read up on sunscalding and it doesn't seem there is much I can do but just encourage growth and make sure to watch for disease/insects.

Does anyone have experience overcoming this and helping the tree to survive and flourish?

Agree with sun scald. Thin bark of red maple makes it susceptible. Halliburton site up near IAH had 30-40 with similar sun scald damage 4-5 years ago. Optimize soil conditions is about all you can do. Pulling off some of the loose bark my increase rate at which tree compartmentalizes wound and reduce likelihood of insects using the area back of bark for shelter. Do not paint the wound.

two1993ags said:

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Agree with sun scald. Thin bark of red maple makes it susceptible. Halliburton site up near IAH had 30-40 with similar sun scald damage 4-5 years ago. Optimize soil conditions is about all you can do. Pulling off some of the loose bark my increase rate at which tree compartmentalizes wound and reduce likelihood of insects using the area back of bark for shelter. Do not paint the wound.

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Are those maples? I always thought they were sycamores.

There are Mexican sycamore and red maple. The red maple that we're having issues were the ones planted with the big landscaping project completed 3-4 years ago...might have been longer-time slips by faster than I'd like it to.

Best advice I can give you is to cut that tree down and start over. That tree is small enough to not worry about. I had a red oak four times that size that slowly deteroriated over 4 years. I wish I could go back and get that extra four years of growth back. That tree is going to fall prey to bugs and the stuff trying to get the bugs. Also its hard to judge from the pic but your trees may be too close together (Builders love to do this) and this may be an opportunity to fix that.

I would seal it with wound dressing and see what happens the next 12 months

Do not recommend wound dressing. Dr Shigo did extensive research that indicated the wound dressing will create safe haven and habitat for insects as it cracks and it will seal moisture in which will promote decay. The 4th wall of the compartmentalization process is developing nicely in the pic...let it do its job if you plan to leave the tree.

two1993ags said:

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Do not recommend wound dressing. Dr Shigo did extensive research that indicated the wound dressing will create safe haven and habitat for insects as it cracks and it will seal moisture in which will promote decay. The 4th wall of the compartmentalization process is developing nicely in the pic...let it do its job if you plan to leave the tree.

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That's interesting to read. Is that for all varieties of tree? I have had much experience that would go against this with regard to pine trees

rootube said:

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Best advice I can give you is to cut that tree down and start over. That tree is small enough to not worry about. I had a red oak four times that size that slowly deteroriated over 4 years. I wish I could go back and get that extra four years of growth back. That tree is going to fall prey to bugs and the stuff trying to get the bugs. Also its hard to judge from the pic but your trees may be too close together (Builders love to do this) and this may be an opportunity to fix that.

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Curious at to what caused your Red Oak to die? Thanks

Not sure. The tree is about 15 years old so there were a couple bad droughts but there are two other red oaks nearby that are thriving. There is/was a big scar on the trunk similar to the one in the pic above that was ravaged by bugs and woodpeckers. The scar eventually healed but the tree is completely stunted and throwing out wierd sparse new growth. Im going to wait till fall and cut my losses literally. Time for a Pecan tree. I've always wanted one despite everyone warning me not to plant one.