Help - Bark Stripping on Mature Hornbeam?

[wytonpjs]

Collective SD hive knowledge please.

I stalked a permission yesterday and had a good chat with the owner about fallow transmitting through her garden. She showed me the mature Hornbeam in the pictures with the bark stripped around the lower trunk believing it to be caused by the fallow but closer inspection revealed bark loss right up the canopy way beyond their reach. My next thoughts were squirrels but the loss is so extensive I’m thinking it maybe disease.

Has anyone seen anything like this before and knows the cause? I fear the damage is so extensive the tree is doomed but any advice to help save it would be gratefully received as it’s of special significance to the owner.

 

[VSS]

Grey squirrel. Without doubt.

 

[old keeper]

I've seen similar damage to Hornbeams, that was definitely the work of squirrels. They seem to really like Hornbeam!

 

[308rws]

Consistent with grey squirrel damage on Hemlock, Beech ...

 

[3595wilk]

Squizzers. A post on the UK and Ireland Grey squirrel control page showed a video of a grey, eyes closed, gnawing away at a Hornbeam that was part of a row that all had been damaged by Grey's.

On a Facebook feed - can't upload it any other way.... apologies to you non faceache user's .....

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[Home Loader]

Hornbeam is remarkably tolerant to this while it is small patches but unfortunately you don't have what I would call small patches, they have most likely ring barked the tree higher up as well. Time to get the air rifle and traps out.

 

[3595wilk]

Photo of the damage shown on the video....

 

[tozzybum]

As someone has said Definitely squirrel feeder and removal time .That row of trees is a keebab filled high street to a squirrel.
Park your self behind a cam net opposite and get comfortable with an air rifle.
A simple feeder to draw them down the tree and jobs a good one.

 

[andyk]

They’re doing this around me know, the amount of bark the squirrels strip seems completely out of whack with their size, but it’s definitely them.

 

[old 30-06]

I have the same in the wood I look after. It is definitely Grey Squirrel. I agree with tozzybum, it is squirrel feeder time.

 

[Terrydeer]

Squirrel damage !! Little devils need sorting out.
Re the initial tree, it will survive but it will be a bit of a mess, long term hornbeam will coppice.

 

[Pete6.5]

I know everyone on here thinks shooting is the answer to everything but that needs a trap put on every tree.

 

[Robs]

Grey squirrel, have it bad at present on Goat Willow pollards and Sycamore. Willow should be fine but lots of Sycamore will not survive.

 

[long_range_rob]

Got blocks of larch that all have the same damage by greys about 12’ up. Little barstewards

 

[Bonzo dog]

Had squirrels for the first time stripping bark on my hornbeam. Seems this year there is a lot more of it happening. Now got the traps on the go.

 

[Heym SR20]

I must admit that it does rather irritate that deer get blamed for all tree damage. Grey Squirrels are far far more destructive. And according to professional foresters who I know well, unless you have squirrels under control, little point planting broad leaved trees.

Yet there seems very little is being done to get rid of them especially in our urban and suburban areas.

 

[shakey jake]

if its near her house, get traps from colin letch about £15 each, simple cage trap. couple of walnut in the back few whole pea nuts in the entrance and behind the tredle

show her how to set and bait and call you when they are caught.
shoot as well if you want but traps work all day, hedge pigs are a pain if they find them, and foxes will carry off the trap if they find a squirrel. should wire them to a stake

 

[Ruby Tuesday 2]

I've got the same issue in some young beech. Annoying i keep on top of them all year round in this wood but the amount of natural feed available has meant the feeders are quiet. I'm putting out 30 plus tunnel traps unbaited at the base of the trees labour intensive but better than the earache from the forester..

 

[eldon]

And I have the same/similar issue to you too.

No fallow here, just roe, squirrels and rabbits as culprits.
I'm going for squirrels despite taking quite a few out of this wood.

My foot is in the picture for scale.

 

[wytonpjs]

Given consensus is grey squirrels, any recommendations for effective poison stations please? I doubt the land owner will want to deal with traps and I can only be there infrequently.