Hi all. Since February I have had a 20-year old bonsai -- I think it is a Cotoneaster. I just noticed it has a sizable, dry looking crack running all the way from its trunk to the top. I only just noticed it because I hadn't turned it around to look at the other side since situating it in a sunny spot by the window.

I have watered it every day to every-other day, sometimes every 3 days, making sure the soil is damp. I have even used a spray bottle now and then because I heard Cotoneasters like that. It's in a sunny spot and my room is consistently about 70 degrees. I have not fertilized it, however.

Does a crack like this mean my tree is dead? The leaves are brown, but the place I got it from told me it was normal for leaves to fall off when you first get it because bonsais don't like being moved.

I have attached a photo so you can see what I'm talking about. The split wraps all the way up the tree. : (

Thank you for your help to a newbie! -Emily