Damaged tree bark

[JoeB14]

Hi, we moved to a property with an established Copper Beech tree in the rear garden. There was bark damage to one side of the tree but this has deteriorated considerably over the last ten months and bark is gradually falling off. I was told that the original damage may have been caused by an over zealous Gardner with a strimmer. The damage is only to the side of the tree shown in the photo (completely fine on the other side). Can anyone tell me if this is terminal or if the tree can be saved. Many thanks

[Stubby]

2 hours ago, JoeB14 said:

Hi, we moved to a property with an established Copper Beech tree in the rear garden. There was bark damage to one side of the tree but this has deteriorated considerably over the last ten months and bark is gradually falling off. I was told that the original damage may have been caused by an over zealous Gardner with a strimmer. The damage is only to the side of the tree shown in the photo (completely fine on the other side). Can anyone tell me if this is terminal or if the tree can be saved. Many thanks

I recon its too high up for strimmer damage .

[htb]

Digger damage to buttress roots, soil level been lowered?

[openspaceman]

5 minutes ago, htb said:

Digger damage to buttress roots, soil level been lowered?

Yes to some older physical/mechanical damage but the bark necrosis looks like it's recent (very little sign of wound growth). The lawn also looks very green so I'm thinking root damage exacerbates by fungicide/herbicide/fertiliser.

 

All wild speculation without a wider view.

[Macpherson]

1 hour ago, openspaceman said:

Yes to some older physical/mechanical damage but the bark necrosis looks like it's recent (very little sign of wound growth). The lawn also looks very green so I'm thinking root damage exacerbates by fungicide/herbicide/fertiliser.

 

All wild speculation without a wider view.

 

Not a pro answer, but over the years I've noticed many a tree with bark like that.. very often Beech.

I reckon ultimately it's had it👎

[Mesterh]

I would say it's a bit more serious than strimmer damage. Keep an eye out for any fungi this autumn.

 

Some pics of the crown when it comes into leaf would be worth while posting.

[Baldbloke]

Two of our very mature beech trees started showing similar issues a couple of years ago. The leaf canopy has thinned too. I’m reckoning on my trees being on their way out. They are approaching 200 years old.

[Stubby]

Deer can cause similar damage to beech . Don't suppose they are accessible to deer ?

[Stere]

Had tha same happen in minature to the bark on a few small beech id planted before they died at about 10yrs old, in a wetter area of ground.

 

 

My suspicion is that the soil was to to wet in winter as its very heavy clay. The beech  trees in an a area next to them reached double the size and  are thriving.

 

So maybe lawn was re-landscape and was compaction?

Edited March 28, 2022 by Stere

[JoeB14]

Thanks all for the comments. Really useful. Attached are a couple of extra photos showing the canopy. Signs of buds forming. No signs of fungus as yet. I believe there may have been some localised landscaping around the trees when the new houses were built around eight years ago.
 

The leaves last year didn’t last for long and shrivelled up and fell. A nearby Copper Beach had a full canopy and lasted longer in leaf.

 

If there is little I can do for the tree should I be looking for this to be removed this year or will it be fine for a few more years? The tree is approx 6m from our house and within falling distance. 

many thanks again

[openspaceman]

The beech has suffered a fairly substantial reduction of the crown recently and mature beech don' react well to that.

 

It looks like it is terminal decline if not dead already