my red maple tree has several branches splitting

Question

My red maple tree has several branches splitting in half along length for six to twelve inches. I would like to fill the wound with growth product and bandage the branch. What product would you recommend to use as a wound healer medicine? Would compressing the separation to prevent further splitting help?

Answer 1

Dear Mr. Fuentes,
I sent you this article so that you could get an idea of the range of possible problems your tree could be having, and also because one of the drawings might show something similar to what's troubling your tree.
While you might be able to contact Ms Pataky for her input, a more direct course of action would be to take leaf, bark, and soil samples to the nearest Extension Service office (this link will help you locate one. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/extension-search/
They will help you find out what's happening to your tree, suggest possible treatments, and answer any other questions you may have.

Answer 2

DEAR Director Pataky, thank you for your great advice. Yes, it's been a hard couple of years on my beautiful red maple tree. It's middle age and the soil in Chicago's south side is awful so there is also moss on the soil and the bark of the tree.
On another subject, Do you think that an insect can be programmed to change its preference of diet. I can't be more specific here. PLEASE respond in Email.
Gratefully,
[e-mail]

Answer 3

A tree whose branches split like this is quite possibly suffering from some sort of disease or cultural malfunction, and if you want to save it, you should identify the cause of the splitting. Here is a rather detailed article that might give you some guidance. http://ipm.illinois.edu/diseases/series600/rpd641/