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What skinned my tree?
2/21/2012 4:17:29 PM
15' tall, 2" dia at base, Not sure but believe it is a Beech(?). Branches down to 1/2" dia denuded up to height of 12' or so. Tree believed to be normal and healthy till January at least. Notice how it stops eating when it gets into a tight space?
It also skinned a 10' tall, 1-1/2" dia same species tree. Has not gotten to a 25' tall, 6" dia one nearby yet.
Wexford County, Michigan
It also skinned a 10' tall, 1-1/2" dia same species tree. Has not gotten to a 25' tall, 6" dia one nearby yet.
Wexford County, Michigan
2/21/2012 4:19:40 PM
Probably a porkie.
2/21/2012 4:21:09 PM
Possum....no doubt about it.
2/21/2012 4:23:20 PM
Originally Posted By Waldo:
Probably a porkie.
Probably a porkie.
Sure is what it looks like to me...
http://www.google.com/search?rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&hl=en&q=porcupine%20eat%20birch&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi
2/21/2012 6:55:46 PM
Yeah, they're common in parts of Michigan. I've seen evidence of them while backpacking in parts of Pa. and W.Va. but not where I live in eastern Ohio for some reason. Many people in W.Va don't believe it when I say that, but they're in parts of the MNF.
This animal is usually found in coniferous and mixed forested areas in Canada, Alaska and much of the northern and western United States, although rare, sustainable, breeding populations of porcupines are known to exist in West Virginia[4] and in smaller numbers in nearby regions of western Virginia.[5]
2/21/2012 7:48:52 PM
Originally Posted By Waldo:
Yeah, they're common in parts of Michigan. I've seen evidence of them while backpacking in parts of Pa. and W.Va. but not where I live in eastern Ohio for some reason. Many people in W.Va don't believe it when I say that, but they're in parts of the MNF.
Yeah, they're common in parts of Michigan. I've seen evidence of them while backpacking in parts of Pa. and W.Va. but not where I live in eastern Ohio for some reason. Many people in W.Va don't believe it when I say that, but they're in parts of the MNF.
This animal is usually found in coniferous and mixed forested areas in Canada, Alaska and much of the northern and western United States, although rare, sustainable, breeding populations of porcupines are known to exist in West Virginia[4] and in smaller numbers in nearby regions of western Virginia.[5]
I have heard they are around, but never have saw any signs of them. Could be why many folks here don't believe it. I'd like to see one of those little critters, at a distance of course
2/21/2012 10:45:16 PM
BTW, now you know you have them around, be aware that they have quite an affinity for salt. They chew up wooden handles on garden tools and have been known to get in engine compartments and chew the hell out of salt encrusted wiring (if you live in an area that uses salt on the roads). They'll also get into outbuildings and chew up exposed wood rafters, studs, plywood and such.
2/22/2012 8:15:31 PM
Originally Posted By Waldo:
Probably a porkie.
Probably a porkie.
thats my educated guess too.
J-
2/22/2012 9:11:53 PM
Will that kill the tree?
2/22/2012 9:42:10 PM
Originally Posted By yeaboxes:
Will that kill the tree?
Will that kill the tree?
The particular tree in the OP most certainly will die. It's been "girdled" or "ring bark" quite effectively. The bark is the only tissue that pulls nutrients and is responsible for a lot of the water transfer.
It might take weeks before it's clear it's dead, but it's dead.
2/22/2012 11:23:08 PM
Originally Posted By RR_Broccoli:
The particular tree in the OP most certainly will die. It's been "girdled" or "ring bark" quite effectively. The bark is the only tissue that pulls nutrients and is responsible for a lot of the water transfer.
Originally Posted By yeaboxes:
Will that kill the tree?
Will that kill the tree?
The particular tree in the OP most certainly will die. It's been "girdled" or "ring bark" quite effectively. The bark is the only tissue that pulls nutrients and is responsible for a lot of the water transfer.
It might take weeks before it's clear it's dead, but it's dead.
So you saying if the bark is stripped all the way around the tree it will die?? I have saw trees scarred from bark being removed from one side, but still live....
Just a curious question, not a expert by any means
2/23/2012 12:21:41 AM
The tree is dead for sure, so that's a shame. But, you have to give it to the porcupine, that's a fascinating/neat job he did.
BTW, porcupines are also in the hill country of Texas. Didn't know that until a few years ago when I saw them twice in one day - different ones miles apart. One set was a mama and two babies. About the cutest babies I've ever seen.
BTW, porcupines are also in the hill country of Texas. Didn't know that until a few years ago when I saw them twice in one day - different ones miles apart. One set was a mama and two babies. About the cutest babies I've ever seen.
2/24/2012 2:49:39 PM
Originally Posted By jnk556:
So you saying if the bark is stripped all the way around the tree it will die?? I have saw trees scarred from bark being removed from one side, but still live....
Just a curious question, not a expert by any means
Originally Posted By RR_Broccoli:
The particular tree in the OP most certainly will die. It's been "girdled" or "ring bark" quite effectively. The bark is the only tissue that pulls nutrients and is responsible for a lot of the water transfer.
Originally Posted By yeaboxes:
Will that kill the tree?
Will that kill the tree?
The particular tree in the OP most certainly will die. It's been "girdled" or "ring bark" quite effectively. The bark is the only tissue that pulls nutrients and is responsible for a lot of the water transfer.
It might take weeks before it's clear it's dead, but it's dead.
So you saying if the bark is stripped all the way around the tree it will die?? I have saw trees scarred from bark being removed from one side, but still live....
Just a curious question, not a expert by any means
Yes, that's exactly what I am saying. It will die. Water will get up, nutrients won't. It's a quiet, easy to do, and slow but certain method of killing a tree. You need about an inch of distance between the bark, and to go all the way to where it gets hard.
We use the method all the time on my dad's tree farm to create dead standing firewood, or just because we might forget to come back and remove the tree. Kill it with a few minutes work on a hatchet and it's done, and the tree dies and comes apart (depending on what species). It kills pine pretty fast I know that. I have visited and girdled trees and come back the next month and been able to pull them over by hand. Usually it's because a sick or damaged tree is interfering with a healthy tree.
2/24/2012 4:05:52 PM
Originally Posted By RR_Broccoli:
Yes, that's exactly what I am saying. It will die. Water will get up, nutrients won't. It's a quiet, easy to do, and slow but certain method of killing a tree. You need about an inch of distance between the bark, and to go all the way to where it gets hard.
Originally Posted By jnk556:
So you saying if the bark is stripped all the way around the tree it will die?? I have saw trees scarred from bark being removed from one side, but still live....
Just a curious question, not a expert by any means
Originally Posted By RR_Broccoli:
The particular tree in the OP most certainly will die. It's been "girdled" or "ring bark" quite effectively. The bark is the only tissue that pulls nutrients and is responsible for a lot of the water transfer.
Originally Posted By yeaboxes:
Will that kill the tree?
Will that kill the tree?
The particular tree in the OP most certainly will die. It's been "girdled" or "ring bark" quite effectively. The bark is the only tissue that pulls nutrients and is responsible for a lot of the water transfer.
It might take weeks before it's clear it's dead, but it's dead.
So you saying if the bark is stripped all the way around the tree it will die?? I have saw trees scarred from bark being removed from one side, but still live....
Just a curious question, not a expert by any means
Yes, that's exactly what I am saying. It will die. Water will get up, nutrients won't. It's a quiet, easy to do, and slow but certain method of killing a tree. You need about an inch of distance between the bark, and to go all the way to where it gets hard.
We use the method all the time on my dad's tree farm to create dead standing firewood, or just because we might forget to come back and remove the tree. Kill it with a few minutes work on a hatchet and it's done, and the tree dies and comes apart (depending on what species). It kills pine pretty fast I know that. I have visited and girdled trees and come back the next month and been able to pull them over by hand. Usually it's because a sick or damaged tree is interfering with a healthy tree.
I'll be damned learn something new everyday
