Plant Doctor Archive

Diseased Liquidambar?

I have a question about my Liquidambar which is about 4 foot tall. It seems to have a pest or a disease. On the underside of the branch things are quite normal, but on the top side of the branch there are tracks. At first I thought the bark had welts due to the scratching marks that the cat had inflicted. But now it is higher up the tree. It looks like the bark has split open and healed with a big scar. Could you please help me?

The patterned corky bark is a feature of Liquidambars. As the tree matures, the bark can become quite raised, but it is normal.

Advice by Dr Dan Blanchon from Unitec's Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Bachelor of Resource Management.

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