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Tree shedding bark #299347

Asked February 02, 2016, 3:12 PM EST

This tree next to our driveway began shedding bark as shown in this picture. It started 3-4 days ago. Does anyone have any idea what caused this? Thanks, Greg

Walworth County Wisconsin

Expert Response

Not a biologist here, but this looks suspiciously like the work of an animal looking for grubs. Pileated woodpeckers, for example, can leave this kind of debris around trees, though usually work on snags (dead trees) and leave burrowed holes in the trunk. But perhaps this was just an exploratory operation... 
An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 03, 2016, 3:45 PM EST
It is that woodpecker. I've never seen one in SE Wisconsin before.
The Question Asker Replied February 13, 2016, 9:56 AM EST

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