We have a red maple tree with some kind of bark rot.?

Question

Our dog damaged a small section of the bark a few years back. Since then, the bark in the area seems to be rotting in the sublayers. The outer bark looks like dry cracked skin. It is flaking off as the underlayer is soft and rotten. The whole area is about 12 inches by 4 inches. The rest of the tree looks great and it has been growing well.

Answer 1

hopefully the tree will heal itself by lining the wound with lignin, and sealing it off.  pruning sealer spray and wound paint is available.  also, a systemic fungicide may help ward off disease