The bark on the sunny side of my young tree is cracked, sunken, and peeling off in Martinsville

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

12 crews near Martinsville · 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.

What this usually costs in Martinsville

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.

What to have ready when they call

A photo with the house in frame, so they can judge the scale
Roughly how far it is from the house, the fence or the drive
Whether a truck can get into the yard
Whether there are power lines anywhere near it

Crews near Martinsville

Sorted by distance

Where this comes from. 12 real tree services Google lists as operating here. Ratings, review counts, hours and photos are Google’s, not ours. The quote on each card is that company’s review closest to its own average — not its best one.

Photo author: Bob Schacht

Humble Hunt's Services, LLC

9188 W County Line Rd, Camby, IN 46113

5.041

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+1

“Great experience using Humble Hunt Services for tree removal. It was a very large tree and very close to two houses. Every call, every question…”
David · 3 months ago · Google

D & S Tree Service, LLC of Mooresville & Greencastle

7701 S County Rd 375 E, Mooresville, IN 46158

5.025

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+1

“We used D&S twice now, and we love them. Owner comes out himself to do estimates, he's always on time, Friendly and informative. Then, before he…”
Jennifer Spencer · 2 years ago · Google

Andy's Tree & Landscape

7532 Brattle Dr, Camby, IN 46113

4.9100

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+2

“Andy and his crew member did not disappoint. They did an exceptional job cutting down my tree and also provided additional services on another. They…”
Susan McAllister · 3 months ago · Google

McDaniel’s Tree Service

5741 Gallagher Dr, Greenwood, IN 46142

4.640

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+1

“McDaniels Tree Service did an excellent job on a recent work order for tree removal. Their crew arrived on time, worked efficiently, and handled the…”
Carl Schwander · 5 months ago · Google

Hair Cuts For Trees LLC

4141 W Southport Rd Lot 10, Indianapolis, IN 46217

5.049

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+2

“I highly recommend Hair Cuts For Trees! Sebastian and his crew were promptly on-site the next day after I called him. His pricing was very…”
P Ellis · 4 years ago · Google

Photo author: Dena Marks

Jimmy's Tree Service

597 Shady Brook Hts, Greenwood, IN 46142

4.115

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+2

“I had a tree blow over and hired Jimmy’s crew to cut it up and haul it away. I was expecting to have to do clean up after the job, but I came home to…”
Tim Doyle · 3 months ago · Google

Photo author: Elizabeth Hoalt

OLIVOS TREE SERVICES PLUS LANDSCAPING LLC

278 N East St, Plainfield, IN 46168

5.030

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+1

“I had an excellent experience with Olivos Tree Services Plus Landscaping LLC! They cleared several trees in my backyard that were close to power…”
Alyssa Wiegand · 5 months ago · Google

Brown's Tree Service LLC

201 S Morton St, Franklin, IN 46131

4.8335

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+1

“Browns tree service provided A-1 service from the estimate from Kevin to crew supervisor Eliel and his amazing crew. They arrived on job site and…”
Mike Synesael · 3 months ago · Google

Sharper Image Tree Service

4883 Gibbs Rd, Plainfield, IN 46168

5.0298

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+2

“If you’re looking for a reliable and efficient tree service, Sharper Image Tree Service truly stands out. From the moment I reached out, their team…”
Sammy Smith · 4 months ago · Google

Airbourne Tree Service Inc.

8909 Chitwood Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46227

4.932

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+2

“If you need a fast, reliable, and AFFORDABLE tree services, I highly recommend speaking with Paul at Airbourne Tree Services. Paul came and gave me a…”
Desiree Kirk · a year ago · Google

Center Grove Tree Service.

1251 U.S. Hwy 31 N, Greenwood, IN 46142

4.526

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+1

“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

Photo author: Vickie Mourer

Green Arbor

1407 W Epler Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46217

4.544

Tree Removal
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
+1

“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

Distance measured from Martinsville.