The Bark Is Falling Off My Acerola Cherry Tree

Improper Planting

• When planting an acerola cherry tree, the hole dug must be two to three times the diameter of the rootball. The roots must be loosened prior to planting. If the roots are pot bound, it is important to slit the rootball from top to bottom on four sides with a sharp knife to allow the roots to spread. Amending the soil with organic matter is essential, especially when planting the tree in sandy soil. The top of the rootball should be level with the top of the planting hole. Planting too deep allows pathogens and insects access to the bark. Never plant a barbados cherry in an area with poor drainage where water is prone to stand after a rainstorm. Mulch must be kept six inches away from the trunk.

Trunk and Bark Damage

• The most common damage to tree trunks in home landscapes is mechanical damage caused by lawn mowers and weed trimmers. It is easy to girdle an acerola cherry tree by not protecting the tender bark from these machines. Girdling cuts off the flow of water and nutrients through the bark, killing the bark and eventually the tree. In warm climates, a sudden freeze after warm weather can cause bark to split and die. Bark splits aren't necessarily fatal, but they do open up an area of access for insects and disease. Excess rain after a dry period can also cause bark splitting in Barbados cherry trees. Sunscald on young trees will cause bark to peel, much like human skin peels when sunburned, but is rarely fatal. Wrapping the bark or painting it white after planting can help prevent sunscald.

Soil and Pests

• Barbados cherry trees are susceptible to nematodes, which invade and destroy the roots. Nematodes are abundant in sandy soils, and any site where acerola is planted must be treated for nematodes and have abundant amounts of organic matter added to avoid nematode infestation. The soil must be well-draining to avoid root rot disease. Borers may infest a weak or damaged acerola tree. The best prevention is to keep the tree healthy, but that may not be enough to keep fruit tree borers from attacking.

Fertilization and Watering

• Acerola needs to be fertilized monthly or bi-monthly with 1/4 pound of fruit tree fertilizer. Over-fertilization may cause bark to expand too quickly, causing splitting. Over-fertilization also produces soft growth, which is susceptible to disease and insects. Over-watering can cause root rot. Extended periods of drought followed by large amounts of rain commonly cause bark splitting in tropical fruit trees. Consistent watering during dry periods is the best preventative for this type of bark damage.

Remedies

• If the tree is improperly planted and is small enough, it can be dug and replanted or moved to a better location. If your Barbados cherry tree has been completely girdled, there is nothing you can do to save it. Treat insect infestations of the bark by spraying the trunk with the proper insecticide according to label directions. Borers must be treated with systemic insecticides, which makes the fruit inedible for at least two years. Root rot is difficult to cure. If the tree is small enough, dig it up, treat the roots with fungicide and move into a better location. For larger trees, stop watering and do soil drenches 10 days apart with non-copper fungicides to try to kill the root-rot fungus. This method of treatment is rarely effective. Trees infested with nematodes can't be saved, and must be dug and destroyed.