sick sugar maple

[Laura]

I have a sugar maple that the previous owners kept prune. It has a ten inch trunk. The problem is the bark has begun to split this past summer. On the bark are black spots all over it, from the base of the trunk to the top limbs.
When I was pruning it I tapped on a larger limb and big black ants came out from under a split in the bark. Taking my hammer I began to tap all the main limb coming out of the trunk and portion of the limb sounded hollow?
The tree has a beautiful canapy and I really don't want to loose it. Is there any way to save my tree from the ants and the other splotching mark. Thanks!!!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

This is one of those time when a remote diagnoses would be improper. You need to find an Arborist in your area. The PennDel chapter is prety large so it should not be a problem.

Go to the ASCA site to find a consulting arborist in your area. http://ASCA-consultants.org/

That said, maple bark begins to split as it ages, and many insects will live under the flakes.

The Uconn server seems to be down but here is a link you can look at pic's of mature bark.
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/a/a.html

Your problem does seem to rate a look by a consultant. Improper prunning can cause extensive decay.
http://search.dogpile.com/texis/search?q=decay+tree&geo=no&fs=web