Damaged tree bark?

[CrazedHoosier]

Just last night/today, these marks on a maple tree near my house have appeared. I have no idea what it could be. It looks almost peeled down. Since I live in Monroe County, IN, I don't think it could be a bear or mountain lion, so what is it?

 

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[Goldfinger450]

Looks to be a Natural shedding, what kind of tree and is there just one side of the Tree's doing that, such as the North or South sides?

 

[CrazedHoosier]

I'm pretty sure it's just a maple tree. The marks on the North and South sides. It's inconsistent, though. Sort of all over.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

As one possibility: porcupines will chew on trees to get to the inner bark (xylem). Maple trees have sugar in the sap/inner bark.

 

[CrazedHoosier]

I'm not so sure Southern Indiana normally has porcupines. If they do, how high will they go? The marks on the tree went up about 30-40 feet high.

 

[sawmill man]

You are seeing the emerald ash borer in action . killing ash all over. it will die but makes good fire wood. just dont transport the wood , forestry service is prohibiting it. theres nothing you can do but cut it and burn it for firewood. woodpeckers are after the larva its why the bark is coming of.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Porcupines climb very well. I have seen them in the tops of 60 ft trees.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_porcupine

Perhaps making a comeback?

North American Porcupine - Erethizon dorsatum | Wildlife Journal Junior

 

[jewelerguy]

 

[flinthunter]

Almost looks like someone was using a climbing tree stand on your tree.

 

[Goldfinger450]

Learn something every day, Thanks Gent's.

 

[4x4x4]

You are seeing the emerald ash borer in action . killing ash all over. it will die but makes good fire wood. just dont transport the wood , forestry service is prohibiting it. theres nothing you can do but cut it and burn it for firewood. woodpeckers are after the larva its why the bark is coming of.

Best to completely cover it after cutting/stacking.....as sawmill man notes , the offenders can infect other trees .

 

[Icewing]

Treasure hunter eating Black Bear, and from those marks he might be more than hungry. I'd take a much slower friend next time.

 

[WannaDig3687]

If it is a maple, and if sawmill man is correct that it's an emerald ash borer, then you just confirmed the rumors that the EAB are starting to attack maples. That's a huge bummer!

 

[Anduril]

You are seeing the emerald ash borer in action . killing ash all over. it will die but makes good fire wood. just dont transport the wood , forestry service is prohibiting it. theres nothing you can do but cut it and burn it for firewood. woodpeckers are after the larva its why the bark is coming of.

For the record, I didn't really want to "Like" this comment because I'd rather not see an otherwise healthy tree succumb to insect damage.
As a species, we humans have destroyed enough trees already. And even wiped some of them from the face of the Earth.

But you got to give credit where it's due and it sure looks like Sawmill Man nailed it. Unfortunately...

 

[mk4125]

For the record, I didn't really want to "Like" this comment because I'd rather not see an otherwise healthy tree succumb to insect damage.
As a species, we humans have destroyed enough trees already. And even wiped some of them from the face of the Earth.

But you got to give credit where it's due and it sure looks like Sawmill Man nailed it. Unfortunately...

Nature always finds a way guys.. we had a lone Ash tree in our front yard get chewed up by those beetles. It slowly died and, much to our surprise, new shoots have sprouted up from the roots - so new trees should are on the way! Enjoy the firewood and/or lumber that these trees provide.

 

[Tpmetal]

that bark looks like an ash not maple? though who knows

 

[P.ALLEN]

Samsquatch

 

[reale bill]

Looks like the work of a pileated woodpecker

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Ours in NY are much more focused on their work.

 

[NOLA_Ken]