A patch of dead bark on the south or southwest face of a young, thin-barked tree, usually between the ground and the lowest branches. Early on it looks faintly sunken and off-color and sounds hollow when tapped; later the bark cracks at the edges and sheets off, leaving dry bare wood with a sharp raised callus rolling in from both sides. If a row of trees was planted together, the damage lands on the same face of every affected one — that repeating pattern is what separates it from a mower or animal wound. Newly planted maple, cherry, crabapple, linden, honeylocust, and young thin-barked oak are the usual patients.
Not urgent
48 crews near Beech Grove · Free estimate · No obligation
The cambium — the living layer just under the bark that builds new wood and moves food down to the roots — was killed in that patch, and the tree is now conducting around a dead strip. A narrow strip gets grown over in a few seasons and leaves a scar. A strip that wraps far enough around leaves the tree partly girdled, and the crown above it thins as the remaining live tissue gets overloaded. Either way the exposed wood becomes an open invitation to borers and canker fungi that would not touch intact bark.
This is normally a tree trimming job, which around here runs $250 to $1,400 depending on size and access. Treat that as a range, not a quote — nobody can price it without seeing it.
1138 S Drexel Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203
“Dave and his friendly crew cut down 4 trees, trimmed/thinned 7 more in 2 days! Great communication, quick response time, great price compared to…”
Jon Caudle · a month ago · Google
1632 E Thompson Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46227
“I had a fantastic experience with arborist professionals by widest tree experts! They were professional, punctual, and extremely knowledgeable. From…”
bradley ketchem · 11 months ago · Google
1917 S Franklin Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46239
“Larry showed up in the morning and gave me an estimate that was fair. His crew was showed up, same day, and knocked out the job in a couple hours…”
Rick Oncale · 3 months ago · Google
5360 Cordes Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46227
“Jesse was awesome -- he showed up on time, worked quickly, and safely removed 7 hedge stumps that I had cut down a few months ago. He used a shield…”
Missy Bigler · 11 months ago · Google
385 S Franklin Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46219
“Paul came out for an estimate. Later same week,Paul and his crew of 6 worked hard and did a complete pruning and shape up of my 30yearold oak. The…”
Steve Worden · 7 months ago · Google
269 N Shortridge Rd Apt 3, Indianapolis, IN 46219
“Requested an estimate on Yelp from several tree management companies for my daughters property and Alex showed up on time to provide the estimate, he…”
SK 214 · 8 months ago · Google
325 E Banta Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46227
“Highly recommend! My home unfortunately came with an invasive mulberry tree that was only inches from my roof corner; due to location and species it…”
Stacey Windhorst · 2 years ago · Google
4035 E Stop 11 Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46237
“They were 1 of 3 tree companies (highly regarded) I called for estimates after a storm took down a huge limb in our backyard. 1 never called back, 1…”
Wendy Foley · 3 years ago · Google
507 S Post Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46239
“I give this company 10 stars!! We had turned in the fact that this huge tree at the NW end of a church's lot prevented drivers from safely crossing…”
Amy L. Allison · a month ago · Google
1812 Elmhurst Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46219
“I called Benjamin Tree Service after receiving their flyer in the mail. We set up an on site appointment for the very same day I called (Friday). We…”
Jane Smith · a year ago · Google
1407 W Epler Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46217
“I’ve used them twice now at two different properties. I’ve been in the green industry for 30 years. These people know what they’re doing, they do it…”
Steve Wicker · 3 years ago · Google
1251 U.S. Hwy 31 N, Greenwood, IN 46142
“Our pear tree broke in half and was blocking part of our neighborhood road. These guys came out quickly, trimmed the fallen branch down and removed…”
Steve Sewell · 4 years ago · Google
Distance measured from Beech Grove.