Q: Over the last couple of years, our Norway and Sunset maples have developed long, vertical splits in the bark. These splits can be as much as four feet long. This spring, some of them have been ...

Q: About seven years ago, we planted a maple tree. During the second spring, the bark began to split on one side. We asked the nursery where we purchased the tree if this would be a problem. We were ...

Q: I have a 'Red Sunset' maple tree that has what looks to be split bark on the south side of the trunk. It is a relatively young tree, and I do not want to lose it. I'm attaching a photo so you can ...

Vertical cracks on tree trunks caused when warm, sunny days are followed by bitter cold. Trees most vulnerable: Beech, crabapple, horsechestnut, linden, maple, oak, sycamore, willow, yellow poplar ...

Mary Jo DiLonardo has worked in print, online, and broadcast journalism for 25 years and covers nature, health, science, and animals. Young trees sometimes have smooth bark that's unbroken by ridges.