Beech Tree bark change

[Ralphie]

Our Beech Tree is well established and has been healthy until now. This year, we noticed a change in the colour of the bark at the base of the tree this year. Should we be concerned?  

[Lowestoft Firewood]

Looks like something has been piled up against it? Looks like some recent change in soil levels at the base? 

 

Any change to the foliage last summer? 

[Ralphie]

No, we didn’t see any foliage change in the last few years

[Stubby]

4 hours ago, Ralphie said:

Our Beech Tree is well established and has been healthy until now. This year, we noticed a change in the colour of the bark at the base of the tree this year. Should we be concerned?  

That swelling just above the change in color of the bark looks a bit like a historical healing  with some included bark .  Was there a branch removed from there way back ?                   

[Ralphie]

We’ve only known this tree for a decade so I can’t confirm. It does look like there was though.