Red Oak tree question

[Codypatt1]

The previous owners planted some red oaks in the front yard 2 years ago and they are all showing the exposed trunk near bottom of tree on the SW side of the tree. It's almost like the bark is outgrowing the tree but a quick google search and it looks like its due to the sun baking that side of the tree In the winter. I'm not a tree expert so I thought I would ask the green screen what their thoughts were?
Are these trees recoverable, should I be worried? I want these trees to have that "wow" factor when they get older since they are easily seen from the main road by passers by.

I did spray the open areas of the trunk with prune sealer a few months ago so bugs wouldn't invade these areas.

FYI- my soil is fairly sandy and these are planted about 75ft away from my pond in the front of the house.

[bboswell]

Following

[Sean]

I am no expert, but the root ball may be to low. Dig top soil off to expose it. Look at any native tree growing to see what I mean about root ball.

[rjet]

I had same problem with red oaks that I planted due to cutting limbs up to high. I did lose two trees from this.
Solution that seemed to work for me is wrapping the exposed trunk in burlap. Was told to do this for two years to toughen the bark up to sun exposure. Am on third or fourth year and still wrapping just to be safe.

[Ishi&Elvis]

There is a reason that those lower limbs need to stay on trees. Shade from the sun. By trimming those lower limbs off when trees are young you take the chance of them getting scorched. I hope they will recover. There are shields made of plastic and other materials at nurseries that you can purchase. They have holes in them to get circulation in the trunk they are covering. Keep the bugs off of them and if you see any sap oozing out, well, they might be toast. That usually means a sick tree and red oaks have a tendency to become disease ridden. If you have to replace them use native trees to your area. Hope that helps.

[Codypatt1]

I'm pretty sure I lost 2 out of 6 as those 2 were sending up suckers toward the end of the summer last year. I may just go ahead and remove those and replant.

Is there any chance the bark will repair itself if wrapped for a few years?

I don't want to throw a lot of money and time at these if it's not going to look pleasing.

Few weeks ago I did remove about 3-4" inches of mulch, especially around the base.

[rjet]

The ones I had that were as bad as the pics you posted I lost, took a couple years.
Two of the three trees (said 2 earlier but was 3) I lost had suckers coming up after the fact and are doing unreal. They have an established root system and grow real fast.
You might want to use them if/when you lose that tree.

[Stoof]

It could be caused by mulching them up to high. You never want to volcano mulch trees. It will cause the bark to rot at the base. Leave the root flare exposed. Pull some of that mulch away from the base and see how they look.

[sportsman]

I planted one in my front yard and it looked like yours after 2 years. It didnt make the 3rd year and I removed it.

[dustoffer]

Sun scald most likely.

http://www.mrt.com/life/article_73d019ad-d216-57a9-86e4-26709b6315d8.html

[Sackett]

They are toast and not worth attempting to save. Where at do you live? Its hard to say what caused it, but once the bark falls off the cambium layer, that section of tree will no longer pull nutrients and moisture up the tree and dies. Remove them and plant an Overcup. Overcups look similar but are more hardy than the Shumards (Red Oaks).

[Codypatt1]

Thanks for the advice guys. I figured it would mean I would need to replant.

I am located in between Royse City and Terrell, very sandy soil with mostly Post Oaks around me. After extensive research, and that its mostly if not all occurring on the SW corner of the tree, it looks like it was sun scalded during the temperature swings in the winter as some of you had already stated.

Would you recommend planting the Shumards within 75ft of my house? Wondering how they hold up during ice storms.

[Codypatt1]

Trees can be seen in front yard in this pic during the summer.

[critter69]

Dang!!!!!!!!!!!! That is a nice place.

[dustoffer]

Around SA, I've seen lots of problems with Shumards--I'd get a burr oak or overcup oak.