Beech tree help please

[Gbaz]

We have a beech tree that is around 5 metres high. I have noticed that there is large areas of bark missing. Please could I have some advice as to wether the tree is likely to survive?

Thanks

Edited January 30, 2016 by Gbaz
Typo

[Adam M]

Maybe.

[Tom Mabbutt]

It's hard to see from the picture, but it looks like it could be squirrel damage, not 100% sure though. Regardless of whats caused it the tree is still young and its evident from the picture that wound-wood (healing) is occurring at the sites of damage, a good sign. I would be surprised if the whole tree was to suddenly die in the near future, although the damage may mean fungi or some other pathogenic organism may enter the tree and reduce its life span somewhat, or create structural issues years down the line.

 

If you're worried about it get a good tree surgeon to have a closer look, they may be able to give it a tidy and remove the worst of the damage whilst still keeping a natural appearance and not being too heavy handed, or just shed some more light on what's caused it.

 

Keep an eye on the density of the tree's leaves during the summer, if possible compare it to other nearby beech trees, this is the quickest and easiest way to assess the overall physiological health of a tree. Normally if a tree is about to conk it you'll see a significant overall thinning of the crown and foliage (before the usual leaf drop time Autumn), it will have a sparse and thin look to it. However, bear in mind branches with lots of squirrel damage can also decline.

 

Hope that's of use. Good luck.

[Stephen Blair]

The tree will survive and keep growing but it will snap out in a few years time as trees don't heal, they compartmentalise the rot, so it will look fine and dandy up top, get bigger and then Either wind or gravity will snap it out in a few years depending on growth and exposure. If you want to prevent that you will need to reduce and re shape and continue to do this so it will never make a magnificent huge tree, just a pruned lollipop !

[Gbaz]

Thanks for the replies. I was advised by pm that it is probably squirrel damage and this makes perfect sense as there are loads of squirrels here.