oak bark

[New boots]

Hi all,

Anyone ever seen this before. It is on a mature oak and all the branches have them running the entire length.

Help would be greatly appreciated.

[Treeation]

old squirrel damage possibly, when oak bark is thinner in younger age oak is quite vulnerable to stripping from squirrels and subsuquent decay. Also makes sense as the damage is on the upper side of branches which is easy game for squirrels

[Treeation]

Although, just reread your post and seems unlikely that squirrel damage would run the entire length of branches....imo

[New boots]

Hi Treeation, 

Yep I don't think it is squirrel damage but that was my first thought ...its every where even on vertical branches.

 

[David Humphries]

Could be an old lightning strike

[New boots]

Thanks David ,

That makes sense.

The failed limb we removed ,when cut in a section looked like the damage was only 1/2 inch deep and all of the scars show sighs of compartmentalization . I am a bit unsure what to recommend that's best for this tree. Its very close to the house and a public road. Is it best to leave it  and inspect it every year or a reduction to take some weight off the limbs.

The customer is talking about felling but I think that's a bit extreme …. but I'mnot responsible for it !! 

[treeseer]

I'd suggest monitoring for signs of cracking that is perpendicular to those seams, and reduce only per need.

 

That is a really odd pattern; I have no better theory than lightning.

[treeseer]

Is it best to leave it  and inspect it every year (and if needed) a reduction to take some weight off the limbs.

 

Right on both counts!