The bark of the maple tree changes over time. Here you can find out what characteristics the bark has and what it can tell you about the maple tree.
What does the bark of maple trees look like?
The bark of maple trees varies in color and texture, from smooth and gray in young trees to dark, cracked, and sometimes flaky bark in older trees. Changes such as soot-like deposits, wrinkles or cracking can indicate illness.
What kind of bark does maple have?
Maple initially has asmoothbark, which over time develops into acracked bark with a darker color. On some types of maple, the bark of older trees even peels off a little over time. This is a normal phenomenon. You don't have to worry about the tree suffering from a disease.
How do I recognize maple by its bark?
You can recognize a fully grown maple tree by itsdark,cracked and sometimes even flaky bark. In this case, however, the bark is not the most important and clearest identifying feature. This is also the case because it is quite different for field maple, silver maple, Norway maple and sycamore maple. The easiest and quickest way to recognize a maple is by its typical foliage or its seeds.
What color is the bark of the maple tree?
The color of the maple bark ranges betweenGrayandBrown While young maple trees sometimes have a gray or gray-green bark the color of the maple bark darkens over the years. A large tree usually has a brown or reddish-brown color. The exact color does not only vary depending on the age of the maple. It also depends on the variety of maple.
How does the bark of the maple tree change when it is sick?
If a blacksoot-like coatingcovers the bark of the maple, it becomeswrinkled or splits open, this indicates possible diseases. Sooty bark disease is behind the black coating. This is a fungal infection. Wrinkled bark combined with wilting leaves could indicate wilt disease. In this case, too, you should react quickly. Otherwise the infection will spread and the maple will die.
What is the bark of the maple used for?
Maple bark was used in ancient times to treat skin diseases. To do this, the bark of the maple was first boiled in water. The softened maple bark was then placed on the inflamed areas of the skin. Both the warmth and certain ingredients of the maple bark have an effect.
Tip
How to treat injuries to the bark of the maple tree
Do you notice major injuries to the bark after a cut or damage to the tree? If the underlying layers have also been damaged, it may be advisable to apply a wound closure agent (€10.00 on Amazon) or some clay. Otherwise, this injury could provide a target for pathogens and infections.
