WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THE BARK ON SOME TREES?
This blog is about moss, lichens, exfoliating bark, and the crape myrtle bark scale—all four common characteristics of tree bark.
EXFOLIATING BARK
Exfoliating bark on certain trees refers to a natural process where the trees shed their outer bark in layers. In doing so, it exposes a different color or texture underneath. Bottom line, exfoliating bark is a feature and not a bug or a disease. Some of the more common, popular trees that exfoliate are Birch, Crape Myrtles, and Kousa Dogwoods. I am sure there are others, but these are the most common varieties in our region. I have had two or three customers in the past couple of weeks asking about the bark falling off. Not to worry. This is a normal part of a tree’s growth cycle. Personally, I find this exfoliating bark an attractive characteristic. With these worried customers, I am glad they brought me their concerns. And, I am happy that I can ease their worry. A word of caution: avoid trying to peel off the bark yourself because this could lead to damage. Just let Mother Nature show off its beauty with the exfoliating bark.
LICHENS
Lichens are unusual, greyish growths on the trunk and limbs of trees. They are a combination of fungi and algae living together. The presence of lichens on a tree can indicate good air quality and a moist environment. In most cases there’s no need to try to remove lichens from trees. If you still don’t like the look of the lichens you can gently scrape them off but just keep in mind that they will more than likely grow back. Now, on the other hand, excessive lichen growth on trees can sometimes indicate that a tree is stressed or declining. My advice to customers is to look on the bright side and just admire this growth.
MOSS
Green moss on a tree trunk is usually harmless and is often a sign of a healthy, damp environment and generally not a cause for concern. Mosses are non-vascular plants that thrive in moist, shady areas. Finding moss growing on trees—especially trees growing in the shade or growing on the north side of the tree trunk, is very common in our region. In most cases, moss growth on trees is harmless. But, if the growth is excessive, its waterlogged weight can threaten to damage branches, especially upon older trees.
CRAPE MYRTLE BARK SCALE
Crape Myrtle Bark Scale is definitely a concern. It first showed up in our area about five years ago. It needs to be treated when discovered on your crape myrtles. Crape Myrtle Bark Scale is a small, white, sucking insect that will cause the tree trunk, branches, and leaves to turn back. Left untreated, the tree will not perform up to your standards.
I recommend a two-step treatment program. First is to spray with a horticultural oil. The oil will coat and suffocate the mature scale. The second step is to apply an insecticidal soil drench. This is not a spray. You pour the diluted insect product onto the root system of the tree. The tree will take up the insecticide into its vascular system and will protect your tree from future scale infestation.
If you have concerns about any of your trees come see us. Bring us pictures of the tree(s) in question.
Enjoy your August. September will be here soon.