Sycamore Dieback?

[Billhook]

We seem to have several young Sycamores with similar symptoms to Ash dieback.  Is this a well known phenomenon?

 

 

[Vedhoggar]

Could it be grey squirrels? 

[sime42]

I've noticed that they've got a thing for Sycamores. They must like the smooth bark, same as Beech.

 

 

[Vedhoggar]

1 hour ago, sime42 said:

I've noticed that they've got a thing for Sycamores. They must like the smooth bark, same as Beech.

 

 

One of their favourite trees to bark strip if it will support their weight. 

[Hillbillee]

Dead Sycamores,  no harm done.

[Billhook]

6 hours ago, Vedhoggar said:

One of their favourite trees to bark strip if it will support their weight. 

Would they not strip the bark further down>  The top branches are a bit thin to support a grey squirrel

[Vedhoggar]

Grey squirrel damage, the bark has been stripped further down the stem and top died off, they often sit in a crotch and strip bark above the crotch, on large mature trees I’ve noticed that they strip bark sometimes on top side of large branches such as beech which is not obvious from the ground and only when climbing in the tree. 

[Billhook]

On 27/05/2023 at 19:13, Vedhoggar said:

Grey squirrel damage, the bark has been stripped further down the stem and top died off, they often sit in a crotch and strip bark above the crotch, on large mature trees I’ve noticed that they strip bark sometimes on top side of large branches such as beech which is not obvious from the ground and only when climbing in the tree. 

thanks, that sounds like the answer