Cracks in mission fig tree bark

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Sometime between last season and this season my mission fig tree has developed some cracks in the bark at the base of the tree. It's a bit hard to see in the pictures, but those crack's go into the core of the tree and it looks dead inside in that area. The rest of the tree is not looking so hot either. I've had it for about six years now, and although it's been living in a pot the whole time it seems to have done well until recently.

I'm in Southern California so it did not get too cold or anything this winter, though it did rain a lot. I think it's had proper drainage though. Any ideas what else it might be?

As a side note - I had a younger potted apple tree right next to it that had a similar issue with its bark but declined much faster and I had to get rid of it a few weeks ago. Not sure if there's any relation but it did seem suspect that they both had issues.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

hoosierbanana
9 years ago
What really matters is the cambium layer under the bark. If there is healthy bark/cambium around more than half of the trunk it has a chance to recover. If the cambium is further gone than that it is basically girdled and the parts above can't send energy to the roots so they will decline and die. In that case the only hope is to chop it back below the damage. It may help to plant it in the ground to try and reduce its stress.

As for why... It could be sunburned, there could be borers of some sort, fungi, or a problem you have there that I don't here.
dieseler
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Best while still alive if possible to either airlayer a good limb or take some scion and root .

Have had this happen to several trees in past when fall rains were heavy going into dormant season .

Plants were soon stored in garage and the next spring had what you are seeing now on your plant.

Its been said that going into dormancy fig plants turn their water into another substance like an antifreeze lets call it to help protect it from the cold temps , perhaps with mine because of the heavy rains and the freeze thaw cycle here in our winters it was too much for plant and it burst from within as there was too much hydration left in it.

This was my problem and may or may not be yours as we are in different climates but best to make a backup now of it just in case.

Made airlayer and kept the parent plant but by seasons end it struggled and plant went to the burn pile.

As a note mission plants are plentiful if you shop around and grow very fast this i know firsthand.

Martin
Related Professionals
Allentown Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Salem Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Amherstburg Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Oxford Landscape Contractors · Houston Landscape Contractors · Tyler Landscape Contractors · North Adams Landscape Contractors · Potsdam Landscape Contractors · Fresno Landscape Contractors · San Luis Obispo Landscape Contractors · El Paso Landscape Contractors · Selma Kitchen Remodelers · Cherry Hill Kitchen Remodelers · Chambersburg Kitchen Remodelers · Aurora Kitchen Remodelers
Esther Platt
5 years ago
Did you figure out anything further? I have had this problem too. The cracked bark has deteriorated, spread, and turned a yucky color. The leaves have had rust at the same time, so maybe this is part of the rust disease. Meanwhile, I'm worried that the healthy new shoots that the trees have sent up will also get this once they mature into 2nd-year wood.
RedSun (Zone 6, NJ)
5 years ago
I think this may be caused by rapid temperature change. After the bark is cracked, it is cracked inside too. Most likely the trunk will deteriorate and weaken eventually.

I'll just cut off the trunk to remove all the damaged trunk. Fig has weak wood, but a fast grower. It can grow back very quickly.