Acer Trunk winter damage

My 4 year old acer is very late in budding, on closer inspection I noticed that the trunk bark is spit at the soil level and runs slighty up in a horizontal line for about 3". Is this damage repairable? also the buds are very brown with a slight fur covering? Any advise would be greatly recieved.

 

Sorry 1st time using a site like this and didn't know I could add photos...

 

hello there. Im not sure what this is unless it is frost damage, I also have an acer and will watch this thread with interest. I hope you dont mind me adding another question, rather than making another thread. It may even interest you. Im not sure which type my acer is but the leaves are a wonderful lime green colour. The only problem is that although at first it looks glorious, as the summer progresses, the edges of the leaves go brown and crinkly and it totally spoils its look. I always make sure it is kept well watered. It does it every year no matter what the weather is like.

 

Unfortunately I fear that your acer is heading for the great acer graveyard in the sky
I lost a Katsura last year with the same problem, and a few years ago an Osakasuki went the same way
I tried wrapping the affected area in moss (on advice from an 'expert') without any success, so I have not found any miracle cure
Blueroses .... your problem may well be a drying wind?

 

There is a very interesting thread on this subject. It is long and not very optimistic, the outcome being as Sam states.

Anyway, here is the thread:

http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=8751

Bluerose - are you keeping them out of the hot midday sun - signs of mad dogs and englishmen

 

Thanks guys/gals?
I thought this may be the case but thought I would check it out from people with experiance in these matters. Its a shame as it was the most colourful tree in the garden and made me smile everytime I looked at it. Perhaps I will replace it?