Anyone able to tell me what did this? South Coast UK, pine plantation.

[MrEd]

As per the title, came across this today and not sure what did it. Deer perhaps?

the bark was completely gone around the tree about 3-4 foot up from the base. Not sure if eaten or just rubbed off?

you can see the tracks where something has been stomping around, i did look for prints but its very 'pine needley' on the floor so didnt hold prints well

the trunk

Anyone able to tell me whats what?

thanks

Ed

 

[Fadcode]

probably Deer

 

[MrEd]

probably Deer

thats my guess to, but not sure if eating or scratching? that was the only tree i could see like it

 

[Philster]

Bear
But probably Deer.

 

[MrEd]

Bear
But probably Deer.

 

[Fadcode]

thats my guess to, but not sure if eating or scratching? that was the only tree i could see like it

probably a bit of both, Deer rub trees like this to remove the velvety growth from their antlers and also to mark their territory for the rut, in a way its a shame because that tree will die because of the girdling done by the deer, deer are very nice docile animals but they can cause havoc to trees and other plants.

 

[Broch]

There's a good section on bark stripping by deer in the attached:

https://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fcpn6.pdf/$FILE/fcpn6.pdf

 

[MrEd]

There's a good section on bark stripping by deer in the attached:

https://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fcpn6.pdf/$FILE/fcpn6.pdf

That’s excellent. Thanks, I enjoy watching deer and that PDF is a good read, cheers

Ed

 

[Toddy]

There's a good section on bark stripping by deer in the attached:

https://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fcpn6.pdf/$FILE/fcpn6.pdf

That's a very interesting and straightforward read. Thank you Broch. Appreciated.

M