TechNotes Jan. 8 - Sun Scald, Soil Temps

Sun Scald? Maybe Later

Although the winter in the eastern part of the United States has been mild so far, cold weather arriving should be expected. Cold sunny days can potentially cause sun scald a damaging condition that can occur on certain ornamentals. 

Sun scald can damage thin-barked trees like maple, plum, cherry and linden, and newly planted trees. A common scenario for sun scald occurs when the sun heats up bark to the point where cambial activity occurs. If temperatures drop quickly from the sun being blocked by clouds, or building the tissue is killed. 

Symptoms of sun scald are characterized by sunken, dried or cracked areas of dead bark.  The symptoms usually appear on the south or southwest side of a tree where the sun has warmed that portion of the trunk.  To repair sun scald damage, cut the dead bark back to the live tissue, rounding off any sharp corners to facilitate healing.

Soil Temperature Map