Peeling bark at base of Sycamore

[Readingdave]

Hello, I’m just after some advice please.

 

There is a large sycamore tree on the verge outside my house. It’s the council’s responsibility, but I like to keep an eye on it due to to the potential for damage to my house.

 

Recently a large section of bark has come off at the base. It’s still a bit loose around the edges, and seems to have come away if it’s own accord rather than being pulled off by a passer by,

 

I’ve noticed some ants crawling around the area, not sure if that’s relevant. The missing section of bark is about six inches high.

 

Anyway a couple of photos attached. Is this likely to be anything of concern, or all fairly normal?

 

Thanks!

[daveatdave]

old sycamore dos tend to shed bark this time of year as it springs back to life I do not think its nothing to fret about

[Dan Maynard]

I wondered if it's a bit of mower damage too.

[jfc]

As Dan said, likely mower damage. How is the tree generally, is it in leaf, all over, or at same stage as other sycamores in the area? I would monitor the tree, if concerned you could pass on any issues to the local tree officer, who could take it into account when the tree is surveyed. J.

[MattyF]

Lots of bare ground around it , thousands of dogs pissing on it ?? or too much glyphosate? Either way the area of wood is not functional in the photo... photos of the rest of the tree crown would give more of an idea if there is any thing going on that would be of concern,that small area of dysfunction on a street tree alone would not worry me... any thing else going on at the base like fruiting fungal bodies ?
I would also take this opportunity to say you have more chance of being injured by your wheely bin statistically in the U.K. than a tree injuring ,killing or potentially damaging your house... folk really do need to get out of this mindset that trees are killers and a threat and must be interfered with.

[Stere]

 

[Readingdave]

Thanks for your replies all.

 

It’s in leaf all over, apart from one very small branch which seems dead. No fungal growth at all. I’ll continue to keep an eye on it just in case.

 

I take your point MattyF. However in recent years two trees have blown over in the road because they were so rotten. So I prefer to keep an eye on things rather than entirely trusting the council.

[MattyF]

Aye it was going to fall over there would be a few tells , do you know what species of tree failed on your street?

[Readingdave]

I’m not sure to be honest. However looking at them as they lay in the road, they did look quite diseased and unhealthy.

 

Like you say, I’m sure there would be more obvious signs if my tree was in imminent danger. 

Edited April 30, 2020 by Readingdave