Restoring tree bark on Chinese Pistache

16 years ago

I live in Sacramento, CA. I planted a Chinese Pistache tree in my back yard about 6 years ago. There's always been areas of the trunk where the bark appeared very rough, some of which would fall away from the trunk, but it would grow back and the next year the condition would occur again a little higher up the trunk. The tree is now about 12-13 feet tall, 10 feet wide with a 7.5 inch diameter caliper.

Last year it seemed to be a little worse and is now about 5 feet up the trunk and along some of the branches. I have pictures but don't know if I can post them in this forum.

I decided that I'd planted the tree in a bad location (too small an area for what would eventually be a very large tree). Also, I installed 1-foot root barriers in a 4-foot diameter around the tree to control the roots when I planted it. If the bark condition was a result of any stress to the tree, it's probably due to the root barriers. With all this in mind, in mid-January I undertook a very arduos project to transplant the tree to my front yard, where it has plenty of room and no constraints on the roots. Aside from the continuing bark condition, the transplant appears to have been successful--the tree is leafing out fine and I've peeled small areas under the bark of a couple of limbs and all appears green.

My concern about the bark peeling away is compounded by the fact that the new location of the tree will get more afternoon sun, which in mid-summer gets pretty hot in Sacramento. Usually, a Chinese Pistache will handle full afternoon sun just fine. My concern now is that the areas where the bark is gone might get burned this summer and cause permanent damage to the tree.

I'd like any advice about how to protect the tree and possibly apply a product to help restore the bark loss. I'm considering spraying the exposed area with Cloud Cover or similar product to retain moisture in the tree. I've also read about a product called EnviroTree, but can't seem to find much information about it to determine if it would be helpful, or where to buy it. I also purchased a white permeable wrap that's made to protect tree trunks from sunburn, and might wrap the exposed areas after applying one of these products, or maybe just use the wrap only.

Thanks in advance for responding.

Comments (5)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
FIRST... YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL WATERING THIS YEAR .... insert your finger to the second knuckle and water deeply when the soil at the root level starts to warm or dry ... superficial watering will not do ... and provide a 4 to 6 foot ring of good mulch ... to a depth of about 3 inches.. once it settles... keeping it off the bark ...

SECOND ... is it possible that what you are seeing is the tree growing its bark from a juvenile to mature type of bark .. without a picture ... it is hard for me to say ... it would answer that as the trunk matures and swells.. from the bottom up .. that this might be happening... very familiar to me on oaks... so smooth and grey in youth.. moving .. from the ground up into the cragly bark of an older tree ...

but you say the thing was thriving... before you moved it anyway ... PLEASE DONT HARM THE THING with too much love.. trying to fix a problem that really isnt there ...

and stop scratching the limbs... you did your test.. i know you are anxious.. but too many wounds MIGHT end up worse than just allowing some patience .. you will know.. soon enough.. if it will make it through spring ...

good luck
ken
jean001
16 years ago
As was said, the bark may be normal.

Look here for some pictures
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/3plants.htm#pistacia

Here is a link that might be useful: pictures Chinese pistache
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morz8 - Washington Coast
16 years ago
Ditto what Jean said, exfoliating bark is normal for Pistacia chinensis and adds to its textural interest in your garden.
luenlin
15 years ago
Can any of you verify my tree also undergoes exfoliating bark? Please click the link below to view the photo of my tree, near the roots where bark fell off.

Regards,
Luen

Here is a link that might be useful: photo of my Chinese Pistache tree
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
15 years ago
looks like weedwhip damage to me ...

or possible vermin damage in winter .....

the fact that all the damage is limited to a certain number of inches above
the ground supports either theory ....

if the tree leafs out.... then the tree is healing itself ...

all i would suggest is is some chicken wire to keep away the vermin or the weedwhacker ....

i would be curious to hear what others say ...

and i am glad to hear its leafing out .... if it does so strongly ... then the tree will heal itself.. and you just need to protect it from further damage ...

take care and good luck

ken

Restoring tree bark on Chinese Pistache

Comments (5)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

jean001

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morz8 - Washington Coast

luenlin

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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