Bark damage to Beech tree

[treevolution]

Would anyone have ideas with what has caused this damage.

 

Last worked on the tree 10 years ago with no signs of damage.

 

As far as I know there has been no changes to the garden and no fires.

 

The tree has a TPO and over hangs a busy road with 3 Schools.

 

I have suggested a report done on the tree consultant but the client does not want to spend the money.

 

Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks 

[Dan Maynard]

Any chance it's sun? Which way does that face?

[treevolution]

I don't think so as it is not facing the sun.

 

Possibly beach bark disease and it's tried to heal itself. 

 

As they don't want to have a report done it's hard to know what works, if any needs to be done.

 

Has anyone had experience with Beech bark disease.

 

 

[kram]

It does look like a significant fungus infection at the base and possibly roots.

 

If it were me I would ask the local council tree officer to inspect, they could likely identify it. It looks significant enough I'd suggest they give permission for removal.

 

 

[Mesterh]

Possibly Kretzschmaria. 

Mr Humpries wil probably steer you in the right direction but unfortunately it does look like a fungal infection.

[daltontrees]

Doesn't look fungal at all. There's been a long bark split, or more likely an abrasion or tear, exposing a strip of wood that has some very superficial decay or oxidisation. It's occluding. The roughening of bark may be caused by the insect associated with beech bark diease but if the fungal element isn't present then it's not BBD. Looks like pretty meagre growing condtions. Is that s a brick wall immediately behind? Could do wit seeing overall crown conditions to know if this bark condition is the cause of or symptom of decline.

[treevolution]

Thanks guys for the help.

 

The tree officer should be doing a site visit soon as the client has put in for a crown reduction on the beech tree and also a horse Chestnut.

 

Not a very good picture but this shows some of the crown.