Q: I have a 'Red Sunset' maple tree that has what looks to be split bark on the south side of the trunk. It is a relatively young tree, and I do not want to lose it. I'm attaching a photo so you can ...

Mary Jo DiLonardo has worked in print, online, and broadcast journalism for 25 years and covers nature, health, science, and animals. Young trees sometimes have smooth bark that's unbroken by ridges.

Once leaves drop from trees, splitting, peeling, bleached or oozing bark may become more noticeable. The cause can range from normal bark development to environmental causes or disease. If tree bark ...