Young, thin-barked trees in the Treasure Valley need trunk protection before winter sunscald cracks their bark.
On clear winter afternoons, low sun warms the southwest side of the trunk, and a fast temperature drop after sunset can split the bark. Young maples, lindens, honeylocusts, and fruit trees with smooth, thin bark are the most vulnerable, especially in newer open Meridian, Kuna, and Nampa subdivisions with little shade. Damage often goes unnoticed until summer, when a sunken strip of dead bark peels away and opens the tree to decay and borers.
Prevention is simple and inexpensive: after leaves drop, usually in November, wrap the lower trunk with light-colored tree wrap or a white trunk guard, and remove it in spring so it does not trap moisture or restrict growth. ArborSafe's ISA Certified Arborists help Treasure Valley homeowners identify which trees need protection and tell old sunscald damage apart from more serious trunk problems. #TreeCare #TreasureValley #MeridianIdaho
Same photo or Canva graphic as today's Facebook post. Authentic ArborSafe job photos strongly preferred over stock.
Canva text suggestion: "Winter Sun Can Split Young Bark" or "Wrap Young Trunks After Leaf Drop"