Problem with young Maple tree

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NeedingTreeHelp25

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Hi, I have a young tree in my front yard and recently I noticed some bark falling off. I've attached some pics of it. What is wrong with the tree and can it be saved? Thanks for the help!
 

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You have a young Oak tree that is planted too deep and suffered damage most likely at planting time.
Excavate the soil around the base of the tree until you hit a very pronounced root flare.
Thanks!! The tree has been there about 4 years. And this started within the last year. If take away some of the soil to the nearest root, do you think it'll survive?
 
Thanks!! The tree has been there about 4 years. And this started within the last year. If take away some of the soil to the nearest root, do you think it'll survive?
It very likely will survive but have structural issues down the road. If this is something your just seeing in the last year it could be that decay is setting in due to the root flare being buried.
 
It very likely will survive but have structural issues down the road. If this is something your just seeing in the last year it could be that decay is setting in due to the root flare being buried.
I dug some soil out around it. About an inch and a half until it started to flare some. I've attached pics. Green line is where the soil was and red line is now. Should I remove some more soil? Also I dug some and it looked like some termites were going up the tree. I guess just eating the dead bark maybe. Thanks for the help!
 

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Good on you for going right out to dig. Unfortunately what you hit is not the flare but a root that is completely girdling the trunk of the tree.
Long term prognosis is not good. You can try removing the root with a hammer and chisel but it looks to be too far gone at this point.
 
Good on you for going right out to dig. Unfortunately what you hit is not the flare but a root that is completely girdling the trunk of the tree.
Long term prognosis is not good. You can try removing the root with a hammer and chisel but it looks to be too far gone at this point.

So is that what's killing the tree, or is being buried too deep the cause?

I've attached a pic. Am I supposed to remove that whole section between the arrows?
 

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Girdling roots are one of the results of being planted to deep.
Yes, that would be the area to remove if possible.
Really appreciate the help!

I did some more digging on the tree today. I've attached a pic. How sure are you that this is a girdling root? Because it went as far as I dug and kept flaring out. The red line is where the soil line originally was.
 

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Really appreciate the help!

I did some more digging on the tree today. I've attached a pic. How sure are you that this is a girdling root? Because it went as far as I dug and kept flaring out. The red line is where the soil line originally was.
This is the exact reason when my clients send me pictures I ask them when it would be a good time for me to come out and see the tree in person.
You are right. In that picture it does not look like a girdling root and you have exposed the flare.
Remove the rest of the soil around the tree to the level you have it and you will be in a much better place than where you were.
I’m still concerned with the long term viability of the tree with the decay it has, but you have done well in helping it out.
@ATH or @Raintree are good people here that can give you second opinions.
 
One last question. Is there any irrigation that is spraying directly on the trunk of the tree? That is something you don’t want as well and can lead to trunk decay like you have.
 
One last question. Is there any irrigation that is spraying directly on the trunk of the tree? That is something you don’t want as well and can lead to trunk decay like you have.
I'll dig some more out tomorrow and post some more pics. I do have oscillating irrigation that hits it, but I only turn it on once every one to two weeks since it usually rains enough here. Would that be enough to cause the decay?

Thanks!!
 
You have done good Jed, to add a few observations.
It appears trunk wounding is mechanical.
Best not attempt a extraction of the girdling root. Once the root starts to flatten out there's a good chance it's begun grafting in.
Trees are remarkable on how they can overcome structural defects. As an arborist my recommendation is replacement. However if the tree poses no threat, you can let it be. Just be prepared to clean it up after a good wind storm.
 
You have done good Jed, to add a few observations.
It appears trunk wounding is mechanical.
Best not attempt a extraction of the girdling root. Once the root starts to flatten out there's a good chance it's begun grafting in.
Trees are remarkable on how they can overcome structural defects. As an arborist my recommendation is replacement. However if the tree poses no threat, you can let it be. Just be prepared to clean it up after a good wind storm.
Thanks for taking a look at it! If it does survive, will it forever be weak, or will it get stronger with time?
 
You have done good Jed, to add a few observations.
It appears trunk wounding is mechanical.
Best not attempt a extraction of the girdling root. Once the root starts to flatten out there's a good chance it's begun grafting in.
Trees are remarkable on how they can overcome structural defects. As an arborist my recommendation is replacement. However if the tree poses no threat, you can let it be. Just be prepared to clean it up after a good wind storm.
Also, what do you mean mechanical wounding?
 
Spray some of that dirt away (just a regular hose nozzle, not a pressure washer or anything). That first pic really looked like a girdling root...are the later pics from the SE side of the tree?
 
Spray some of that dirt away (just a regular hose nozzle, not a pressure washer or anything). That first pic really looked like a girdling root...are the later pics from the SE side of the tree?
I've attached pics that show which sides are facing which directions. The side with the most damage is facing west.
 

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Spray some of that dirt away (just a regular hose nozzle, not a pressure washer or anything). That first pic really looked like a girdling root...are the later pics from the SE side of the tree?
Oh, and to add on to my last reply, here are pics with the dirt washed away to see better
 

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