Q: I have a 'Red Sunset' maple tree that has what looks to be split bark on the south side of the trunk. It is a relatively young tree, and I do not want to lose it. I'm attaching a photo so you can ...

Mary Jo DiLonardo has worked in print, online, and broadcast journalism for 25 years and covers nature, health, science, and animals. Young trees sometimes have smooth bark that's unbroken by ridges.

Q. Two years ago we planted two types of red maple, and they had done well. Now, on one tree, the bark is falling off the trunk but the other tree doesn't have this irregularity. Any ideas as to what ...