My Chitalpa Tree Trunk is Splitting

Significance

• Gardeners are understandably concerned when a chitalpa tree trunk is splitting. However, this is a common occurrence with the specimen and a frequent disorder. Unfortunately, little can be done to prevent this weakness of the hybrid and the tree is never able to fully recover from the condition. The damage to the tree typically results in premature browning, yellowing and loss of leaves every summer. The split trunk also makes the tree more susceptible to disease and pest infestation.

Watering

• A lack of water may contribute to the bark splitting on a chitalpa. Gardeners may wish to ensure that the tree is heavily watered as an exercise in determining whether this will remedy the situation the following season. When the split bark on the chitalpa trunk is pulled back, landscapers will discover new growth attempting to cover the wound as the trunk works to wall off the injury and prevent easy entrance to any pathogens.

Environmental Injury

• When a chitalpa tree trunk is splitting, it may be the result of environmental concerns that affect many species of trees. The quick expansion of the living bark inside a tree can result in a split, usually as a result of the tree suffering frost injury or sunscald. As the chitalpa is grown primarily in the desert Southwest, it can be injured by late or early freezes. Sunscald is a condition that pops up on the southwest side of young trees.

Chitalpa Cultivars

• The Pink Dawn chitalpa tree (Chitalpa tashkentensis 'Pink Dawn') is the most commonly sold chitalpa specimen. It grows to a height of between 25 and 30 feet with dense, spreading branches that bear no fruit. The flowers are pink with a yellow center and boast a trumpet shape while blooming for several months during the summer. Another chitalpa cultivar, the Morning Cloud, has light pink or white flowers and grows taller and more erect than Pink Dawn.