Bark Cracks Associated with Injection Wounds in Elms    (View PDF)

C.W. Murdoch, J.S. Coleman and R.J. Campana

Abstract: Bleeding or fluxing from injection wounds in elm is common, but the development of large bark cracks associated with such wounds has been unreported. In Maine, data were recorded on cracks in 148 elms {Ulmus americana) including vertical extent of crack from wounds, depth and configuration of cracks and electrical resistance of wood from trees with and without cracks. Cracks developed more frequently from stem wounds than from root flare wounds, extended upward to existing wounds or branch stubs and were widest at midpoints. Cracks developed more frequently from stem wounds than from root flare wounds, extended upward to existing wounds or branch stubs and were widest at midpoints. Cracks were limited to the separation of phloem and bark from xylem; and the exposed xylem was discolored along tangential and radial lines. Successive wounding upward on elm stems enhanced the formation of bark cracks.

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https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.1983.017