I went out today to water my trees and another one of my larger trees is having a problem. I don't know what is going on here. It seems like all of my larger trees are having problems. I bare rooted and did a little root work on thie tree well over a month ago. It has been outside for atleast 3 weeks the tree was fine. The temps have not been bad especially in the last few days. I go out today and there is a big split at the base of the trunk. The tree seemed ok, previous to to this I could see little buds coming out from the truck and branches. Can this be attributed to over watering during the winter? Should I try to do anything for this or just let it go and see?

I've read where splits can form from numerous reasons. One reason is from freezing temps where the water in the trunk can freeze causing it to split. Another cause is from the other extreme of being too dry, then of course there is insects and diseases that can cause a split.

From your picture it looks like the wood is healthy so IMO I would think that it is from either being too dry at some point or from the freezing temps this past winter. In time the wound should heal over. You can get "tree patch" to paint on the split to help it from forming rot or other diseases.

I was thinking the same thing: freeze-thaw cycle. Yes, I would put something in that crack to prevent insects and disease from entering the wound sight. There's a special paste on the market, but absent that, Elmer's glue in a pinch just to coat the wound.

Is it being supported by anything. To me it sort of looks like the tree is leaning to the left perhaps the weight of the tree is too heavy, could that have split the trunk maybe?

Hi Marcus.
Sorry to see that, it looks just like mine I know how you feel, I cut mine down to the dirt level and hope roots are alive.
Vito

http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/crops/diseases/fac46s00.html

The tree Isn't that heavy. It's fairly small. Can the freaze thaw damage take weeks to show up? This is worrisome since I have no other place to store my trees accept and unheard detached garage. It is possible that I watered them to much over the winter. I didn't really measure out water I just hit them with sme water every three weeks or so. I'll get that tree patch.

Thanks Vito. I hope it's just my fault that I over watered during the winter. I know other members store trees in colder places without issues.

During winter fig trees fully dormant dont really take up much if any water, when scion is cut from tree you can tell there is very little moisture in its limbs .
One gives very minimal waterings at this time just enough to keep roots from totally drying out from the air .

More than likely during dormancy the crack started very minute and unnoticed then expanded with time and fluctuating temps to what you see now.

Interesting article from from Chivas, thought this seems to be more severe than just bark.

We did have a pretty bad cold snap this winter and I think I did over water. I had so many pots in the garage I would just water and not pay attention to how much. Martin, how much water do you give your trees?

Marcus,

Could it be from heavy pruning and the energy from the rootball just burst into the trunk?
Just some wild guessing.

Anyway,
Let's get some latex paint to cover the cracks. I stay away from the black tar/pruning seal stuff as it is petroleum base.

If you don't like the way it looks then you can always air-layer just above the crack.

Good luck

I wonder if you should use something to cover that up so that no insects get into the trunk and start munching?

Thanks guys, Rafed any old latex paint will work? I have some leftover house paint and maybe some masonry paint. I moved some of the dirt a little the crack goes down under the soil line. Should I paint or seal all the way down?

Martin, thanks so start tapering off in the fall. I think I do that. So you just water once or twice in all sized trees over the winter once they are inside. How much water may be a few cups for a 20g or so tree?

Marcus,

Shouldn't matter how old the paint is. As long as it is latex and you can still brush it.
Just make sure the wood is dry before you paint over it.

I only watered mine once this winter.

What about below the soil line that is sort of damp and dirty, lol.

Wouldn't worry about that too much. Those cracks are no different than the cuttings we take during the growing season.

Adriano has some of the healthiest figs I have ever seen. Green and robust and he always takes cuttings during the hot growing season. Those open cuts did not effect his trees.

I think a little simple paint job over the cracks should be fine. Don't take too much thought into it bro. And I mean this in a good way.
Your tree will be fine.

I would also wonder if wind could have caused this - if the top was swaying a lot.

It was stored in the garage. I don't think we have had that much wind since its been out and there are no leaves yet.

With all the dancing that goes on in your garage while you're asleep I'm sure it was the wind.

Marcus,
  Is there any chance that the 71 GTO backed over the tree while it was in the garage? ;-)
Jim

It's more likely wind in the garage then that car moving any time soon, lol.

I think it split during the winter and opened up when they were brought out in the sun and watered. Once the tree started taking the water it swell and the crack opened.