Flaming smoke tree bark damage

Question

The bark on our 2ft smoke tree has been eaten away the purple leaves are starting to wilt and curl the bark right at the base of the 12″ diameter tree has been stripped eaten exposing 60% of that area. Is there anything we can do to save it?

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Answer 1

Your tree may have more than one problem. Here are a couple articles on the most common disease in smoke trees, verticulum wilt: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/verticillium-wilt-treatment.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/smoke-tree/smoke-tree-verticillium-wilt.htm

However, since your tree's bark has been eaten away as well, you may be dealing with some type of borer insect. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tree-borer-insects.htm

If you really want to save the tree, I would suggest consulting an arborist for advice.