Beech bark - why the difference?

[armybloke]

For all you Beech tree enthusiasts I apologise if this has been covered previously but I have done a search I promise

 

Here are photos of two Beech trees. They live together as a group of 5, all approximately the same age and in the back garden of a lovely property with LOTS of trees. In amongst the Sweet Chestnut, Birch and Oak is this stand of Beech. Wading through the trees you would think it was a Beech and an Ash (possibly) stood side by side but then the leaves give the game away. Why would one Beech have the traditional smooth bark and the other the fissured, 'cut' bark (as in an Ash)? I have been told a theory that when it was young scale insects attacted it and in doing so promoted the growth of the additional bark to protect itself and so stayed doing so to the present day. New shoots exhibit the smooth bark yet a tertiary branch of maybe 2 or 3 years old has the fissured bark.

 

I welcome your thoughts, thank you

[woodyguy]

I would guess its because the first one isn't a beech ie Fagus Sylvaticus but one of the many trees with beech like leaves. Can you post a close up of the leaves and twigs from the first tree. Just my 2p worth!

[armybloke]

Sorry I have none to show and I won't be back at site for a while. When you say 'one of the trees with Beech like leaves' can you give me an example as to your line of thinking please?

[woodyguy]

Fagus orientalis, several different nothofagus, hornbeam and sure there are others if I have a look in a reference book.

[armybloke]

No don't I understand now - I thought you were leading on to some fancy hybrid that Beech produce when in proximity to 'other' Fagus sp. Oak are renown for being promiscuous so when I think I am looking at a good old English Oak the likelihood is that I am probably not! Thanks for the information but I feel confident that I can rule out Carpinus and Nothofagus at this stage but will look into other Fagus as suggested. Grateful for your help. If and when I pop back to site I will make sure I take evidence with me (if the crown is low enough for me to grab of course).

[woodyguy]

Interested in answer. Beech bark disease doesn't in my limited experience produce overall different bark, more disordered bark that girdles the tree and kills it. Hopefully someone else more knowledgeable will recognise it.

[David Humphries]

What's the orientation, aspect and exposure of the two specimens in terms of where the pictures were taken from Marco?

 

 

Is the bark in the first shot the same all around the trunk?

 

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[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

For all you Beech tree enthusiasts I apologise if this has been covered previously but I have done a search I promise

 

Here are photos of two Beech trees. They live together as a group of 5, all approximately the same age and in the back garden of a lovely property with LOTS of trees. In amongst the Sweet Chestnut, Birch and Oak is this stand of Beech. Wading through the trees you would think it was a Beech and an Ash (possibly) stood side by side but then the leaves give the game away. Why would one Beech have the traditional smooth bark and the other the fissured, 'cut' bark (as in an Ash)? I have been told a theory that when it was young scale insects attacted it and in doing so promoted the growth of the additional bark to protect itself and so stayed doing so to the present day. New shoots exhibit the smooth bark yet a tertiary branch of maybe 2 or 3 years old has the fissured bark.

 

I welcome your thoughts, thank you

 

that assumption is shared by many of us, I certainly until proven therwise go with that reason.

[Amelanchier]

I have been told a theory that when it was young scale insects attacted it and in doing so promoted the growth of the additional bark to protect itself and so stayed doing so to the present day.

 

That would be my diagnosis - the Felted Beech Scale (Cryptococcus fagisuga) produces that bark patterning quite regularly IME.

[woodyguy]

Really. I've only seen it in an isolated area and then girdling and killing the tree. I didn't realise it could be diffuse over the whole trunk with a thriving tree. Have to look out for it.