Weeks of late-summer heat without much rain are starting to show up on Birmingham's shade trees, and one of the clearest signs is vertical cracking in the bark. Drought-stressed trees pull moisture from their outer layers first, and the bark can split as the trunk contracts.
It looks alarming, but a stressed tree isn't automatically a lost one. What matters is how deep the cracking goes and whether the tree is showing other symptoms like early leaf drop or thinning higher up in the canopy.
Established trees can usually recover with deep watering and a proper assessment, but younger or newly planted trees are more vulnerable and worth checking sooner rather than later. A quick evaluation now can prevent a bigger problem once cooler weather sets in.
Have you noticed any cracking or splitting bark on trees in your yard this summer?
#BirminghamAL #TreeCare
Authentic close-up photo of vertical bark cracking on a stressed tree trunk, ideally with an arborist's hand in frame for scale and to show hands-on assessment.
Canva text suggestion: "Cracked bark isn't always a lost cause" or "Drought stress leaves marks"