The bark on a tree is essentially its skin, and just like humans, it needs to renew itself from time to time. Several things can cause a tree to shed its bark, and most of those reasons are not concerning. In some cases, animals strip the bark near the base of the tree, or there can be an infestation or fungus that is the cause. We have put together a short list of reasons trees lose their bark and when you should be concerned.
New Layer
As trees grow, they increase their layers. As the fibrous tissues on the inside of the tree expand, the bark will shed to make space for the new growth. Young trees rarely shed their bark because the skin is still soft. Older trees don’t share the same elasticity which can result in minor splitting, cracking, and shedding as the tree grows. In some tree species, the bark will curl up in strips. Healthy trees will heal their bark quickly while sick trees may be slow to heal or not heal at all.
Diseased Tree
Fungal infestations can occur under the bark that causes it to shed. If you have a tree that has irregular spots of shedding on its bark, chances are, it has a fungus. Diseases such as canker can get in through the tree bark when this happens, it can lead to tree death if not remedied. Most canker diseases appear as black, brown, or red lesions on the bark of a healthy tree. This ailment is frequently found in birch, maples, beech, and willow trees. Extreme temperature fluctuation, too much water, or not enough water is typically the cause of cankers.
Damage from Insects & Critters
Animals are mobile creatures while trees are stuck in one spot. Animals like voles, porcupines, and squirrels often make meals or homes out of the bark from trees. Woodpeckers are another bane to our immobile friends. They peck holes into the tree to allow the sap to flow in an effort to attract insects for their meal. Some birds even peck away parts of the bark to build their homes with. Most healthy or young trees are able to heal from this type of damage, but some trees can lose branches depending on the severity of the damage.
Bugs can have a negative effect on certain tree species. In most cases, these infestations are highly localized and only last a couple of years at a time. In very rare cases, some infestations can cause an epidemic among the tree population in an entire area.
How Five Star Tree Services Can Help
When you see your trees in any sort of duress, it can be hard to tolerate. Sometimes, even the natural cycle of a trees life can seem worrisome. If you think that your tree may be suffering from fungus, infestation or some other issue, we can help. The arborists here at Five Star Tree Services are highly qualified and happy to assist. Give us a call at (416) 990-3355 to set up a time for us to come by and evaluate your trees. Our team looks forward to hearing from you. We’re eager to help with any Richmond Hill tree removal or tree service you might require.