Beautybush ( Kolkwitzia amabilis)-hardiness zones 4–8.Bald cypress ( Taxodium distichum)-hardiness zones 5–9.Amur Cherry ( Prunus mackii)-hardiness zones 2b-9.American sycamore ( Platanus occidentalis)-hardiness zones 5b-9Īmur Cherry ( Prunus mackii).American hop hornbeam ( Ostrya virginiana)-hardiness zones 3–9Īmerican sycamore ( Platanus occidentalis).I mean, how many can there be? Several hours of research later, I came up with nearly 50! Here they are! I thought I’d include a short list of trees and shrubs with exfoliating and often very decorative bark with this article. Either the bark serves as a flame retardant and protects the trunk, or it burns quickly, with fire moving rapidly up the trunk while leaving the living bark underneath intact.īut in most plants with peeling bark, the reason for this exfoliation is really not fully understood. For some species, the exfoliating bark appears to be a protection against fire.The thick, papery bark of the paperbark ( Melaleuca quinquenervia) helps protect the tree from fire. The sloughing off old bark may allow a better exchange of atmospheric gases between the plant and the surrounding air or even improve transpiration.This is the case, for example, of gumbo limbo ( Bursera simaruba), whose older flaky bark is red, but new bark is green. ![]() Some trees photosynthesize through their bark and it’s therefore logical that the plant would get rid of its outer bark, which may have become more opaque over time or maybe covered with lichens or mosses, in order to expose younger bark to the sun.Gumbo limbo ( Bursera simaruba) photosynthesizes through its green bark, so the red older bark has to be sloughed off regularly. Bark peeling off might allow the plant to get rid itself of its enemies: insects (mealybugs, for example), fungi, invasive climbers, heavy epiphytic plants, etc.No one is sure exactly why so many woody plants have bark that naturally exfoliates, but there are a few theories and, in some cases, there might be more than one reason. Even young birches, though planted specifically for their “papery” bark, have smooth bark that clings to the trunk in their youth. Often their bark is smooth on young specimens, but changes in texture as they mature and that can be decades later. Very often the trees and shrubs with exfoliating bark need time to start performing. For example, birches are well known for their attractive peeling bark. This is a fairly common trait and seems to have evolved independently in many families of plants. The pearlbush isn’t the only woody plant with exfoliating bark, by the way. Obviously, there is no need to cover or otherwise protect the exfoliating trunk: just relax and enjoy the show! Heritage river birch ( Betula nigra ‘Cully’) is one example of a tree grown specifically for its multicolored exfoliating bark. Under the bark that peels away there is already fresh, healthy bark, so the plant doesn’t suffer at all. After masses of white flowers in the spring and attractive green leaves all summer, it now offers stunning peeling bark in the winter. It’s one of the attractions of the shrub. ![]() And rather than worrying you, it’s supposed to please you. This trait is, however, only seen on more mature specimens, usually after many years of culture. The pearlbush’s bark is said to be “exfoliating”: it comes off in strips over time. Is this normal? Or if not, should I cover the trunk with something for the winter?Īnswer: Peeling bark is actually quite normal for this species. However this year, almost all the bark of the trunk is sloughing off in patches: there is hardly any left on the trunk! It was magnificent in May, covered with white flowers as in previous years, and showed no other signs of illness. Question: I have a shrub called pearlbush ( Exochorda × macrantha ‘The Bride’) which has been losing its bark by bits and pieces for a few years now. Pearlbush has beautiful white flowers in the spring… and older specimens show attractive bark in the winter.
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