Tree guy??? What causes this

[Daren Todd]

Was out back and noticed this forming on one of my oaks. Noticed this earlier this summer, then realized it's growing in size. Was curious if it's from lighting, one of the past two tornados, or if it's caused by critters

Both streaks look to be about 20ft long


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[aquaforce]

Looks like the tracking of a lightning strike but the bark still in place is strange. Also most lightning strike areas won't heal like that.

You have my curiosity for sure.

 

[Lil Foot]

Looks like lightning damage to me…. I see the same sort of damage on Ponderosa pines at my place in the mountains.
I've seen "low power" strikes leave that kind of damage, and then a "high power" strike nearby will blow a 70ft pine into toothpicks, and even blow the dirt away from the base of the tree. Go figure.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Lightning hit it fosho

 

[Daren Todd]

I was wondering about that. Have only seen the where they will look fine one day, then the next, they just start shedding bark. Haven't ever seen lines going down them before like that.

Thanks for the replies

 

[RCW]

Here up north, we can get frost cracks.

On a clear, sunny winter day, the south side of a tree can get warmed up enough for sap to run. Then if it freezes real hard and fast at night, the expansion of the freeze can cause the tree to split.

Can make a hell of a noise. The tree will usually heal them over with time. I guess most I notice are a few feet long - not 20.

Doubt that is a problem in Arkansas.

I'm betting lightning, too.

 

[RCW]

Daren -

Looked at your pictures again, and it looks like they are healing over.

That can make the damage look "bigger" as the tree grows over the splits.

Can't tell the species from the photos (and not sure what you have in your area), but around here Red Oaks are very hearty trees.

I wouldn't give up on it, yet, unless its in a place that could fall on buildings, etc. in the near term.

 

[Daren Todd]

You got a pretty good eye. It's a red oak. Bout 18" round. Not gonna take it down unless it dies. It's leaning away from where we are planning to build the pole barn. I was curious about what folks had to say about the lines. Never seen it before. Got a 4ft round pin oak with almost the same thing. Except it's a dead spot running almost 40ft up the tree. Would be heart broken if i have to take that one down. Has a gorgeous top to it. We've lost 20 plus trees over the past 3 years. We had one that had a split from the base up to around 15ft, from being twisted during a tornado. Tree was still standing nice and straight could see daylight through the center of it. Craziest thing I ever saw.

 

[Daren Todd]

OK guys. Got another tree question. This one is on my peach tree. Leaves are sprouting growths and curling up. Here's some pics I took tonight.

 

[85Hokie]

Daren,

looks like this is the problem -

http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7426.html

 

[Daren Todd]

Daren,

looks like this is the problem -

http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7426.html

Thanks brother looks like I missed the treatment cycle for this season

 

[Lil Foot]

My first thought was a fungus, but didn't realize there was a specific peach leaf fungus.

 

[Daren Todd]

My first thought was a fungus, but didn't realize there was a specific peach leaf fungus.

Would probably explain why it was so cheap and wouldn't sell at the store Paid $6 for two trees at the end of the season two years ago. The other one didn't make it last summer. All the leaves fell and it dried up. Probably didn't help it any when I accidently uprooted it with the tractor

 

[skeets]

Yep Brudder 85 nailed it