Beech fungus, mites or just growth?

[Beech tree three]

Any ideas on what this beech is suffering from? 3 years ago it started with slight cracks around the base of the tree that have now expanded letting in bugs, and it's now developing these circular cankers on its bark that are multiplying and going up one leg in particular -see pics. I tried diatomaceous earth on the trunk 2 yrs ago, dont know if I slowed the issues down any or made it worse. We have gypsy moth here, not sure if this is what's got it or if it's something  else? Is this big boy going to come down on our heads in a few years? We like him so much that we're building a deck around it (no digging) instead of cutting it down but I'd hate to contort my deck around it only to have it drop dead on my deck - and my family - in a few years bc it's suffering from something fatal. I'm hoping someone will tell me that this is just part of the natural growing process of a beech, but my gut tells me it's something bad. 

 

[openspaceman]

First picture looks like old mechanical damage to me, with the last couple of years growth trying to occlude the wound.

[Paul Cleaver]

i would say it is a root problem

[Dan Maynard]

i would say it is a root problem

The driveway does look fairly new, could have been construction damage?

I was thinking you've got dying bark and a split, this makes grounds to have someone qualified have a look in person rather than rely on advice from some pictures.

[Paul Cleaver]

13 minutes ago, Dan Maynard said:

The driveway does look fairly new, could have been construction damage?

I was thinking you've got dying bark and a split, this makes grounds to have someone qualified have a look in person rather than rely on advice from some 

Inclusion.  not a great combo

[Beech tree three]

Thanks to all who took the time to reply. I'm now told its likely advanced beech bark disease with the bark crumbling away from the trunk of the tree due to the progressive nature of the disease. ?

[Beech tree three]

The driveway is 10 yrs old. 

[Dan Maynard]

10 years is the right sort of time for root damage to become apparent, I don't know anything about beech bark disease.

I don't know where you are, but I still think you need proper qualified inspection, get a couple of opinions and not from someone who is just trying to get the job of removing it.

[openspaceman]

27 minutes ago, Dan Maynard said:

I don't know anything about beech bark disease.

I would expect to see a few tar spots from beech bark disease, also its difficult to see from the pictures what the extent of necrosis exists under the bark which one could normally check from tapping.