Mature hornbeam hardly any leaves some branches dying

[Gmorco]

Hi been asked to look at a mature hornbeam with very few leaves and some branches dying any one got an idea what could be the problem? No sign of fungus anywhere. There is what looks like woodpecker holes on one of the stems but not the main trunk. What are the first signs of Phytophera ? Thanks

[se7enthdevil]

old age?

 

how big is the tree?

 

 

just incase it's coming down i'd be interested in getting it milled assuming it's a half decent stem

[pileswasp]

Squirrels stripping bark in the canopy? Seems quite bad again around here this year; last year, saw entire trees stripped top to bottom.

[Gmorco]

Couldn't see any squirrel damage on it it is pretty old looks a bit like it's just coming into lead after winter strange!

[Gary Prentice]

Bark lesions exuding dark exudates for phytophthora.

[Gmorco]

Ok thanks didn't see that but will check again

[treeseer]

Exudates can also be Anisogramma canker.