Master Gardener: If bark is peeling on a tree, these 3 things may be the culprit

Q: My mature loquat tree trunk is peeling and it is slowly creeping up into the branches. We had a wonderful crop of fruit from it this year so it did not affect the fruit, but I am fearful that it will get worse. What can we do?
A: There are a number of things that can cause bark to crack and peel on any tree. First, look for insect activity. Borers will leave small holes, often oozing sap. Sometimes you can find them directly under the bark, but not always. Borers are especially prevalent in d