What animal(s) did this?

[spandit]

In my local nature reserves there are a couple of sequoia (I think - they're huge conifers, about 6 feet diameter). Both of them looked like they'd been wire brushed - initially thought it was yobs (who have tried to set them alight at some point) but it extends a long way up the tree (at least 20') and seems an odd choice of vandalism.

Seems a huge area of damage if it's squirrels

 

[JonathanD]

Looks like deer sign to me.

 

[spandit]

I thought about deer but you can see quite discinct claw/scratch marks. The fact they go so high is puzzling

 

[shaggystu]

not too sure about dear jonathan, not 20' up a tree anyway!

squirrels? many many wasps? large bear? in all honesty i have no idea at all

stuart

 

[spandit]

Not many bears in East Sussex (maybe in West Sussex...)

 

[JonathanD]

not too sure about dear jonathan, not 20' up a tree anyway!

squirrels? many many wasps? large bear? in all honesty i have no idea at all

stuart

Hah, missed the height part.

 

[Retired Member southey]

Sure there not young red woods?

 

[Retired Member southey]

ah missed you had said they are sequoias already, its probably just there normal transistion to there furry bark state from juvenile to adult tree,

 

[Bushwhacker]

Pine Marten.

 

[JAG009]

Have a look at this http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&so...tpy-CQ&usg=AFQjCNHDEUz-Wz9TPfIQ_q6Mm85DldVN5Q


Jason

 

[shaggystu]

Not many bears in East Sussex (maybe in West Sussex...)

i shall keep that in mind the next time i find myself in west sussex!

 

[shaggystu]

Have a look at this http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&so...tpy-CQ&usg=AFQjCNHDEUz-Wz9TPfIQ_q6Mm85DldVN5Q


Jason

jonathans 20' deer wrried me, now we're talking 20' badgers! i'm going to start staying in after dark

 

[Retired Member southey]

Giant honey badgers!!!!!!

 

[Bushwhacker]

I have just done a quick check because I've just realised you're in E.Sussex and it seems that there have been 'sightings' of Pine Marten although I can't find anything concrete.

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Was there bark on the ground around the tree ? ( animals would would have left a mass of bark on the ground)......if not I'd say someone had stripped the bark it to make mulch.

 

[spandit]

Seems like an awful lot of trouble for a bit of mulch but didn't see any bark around. Will go & have another look. Pine marten theory is interesting - what time of day are they usually active?

 

[Bushwhacker]

Normally nocturnal. I'm clutching at straws really I think, it's just the only thing I can think of with some decent sized claws and the ability to climb that high.

 

[santaman2000]

Sasquatch? Wookies?

 

[Retired Member southey]

I still reckon its just the tree itself, any chance of a pic of the tree as a whole dude

 

[blacktimberwolf]

Pine martins are not on my list, apart from the odd territory scratch they don't de-bark trees & prefer smaller trees with plenty of side branches.
If it's in a nature reserve, how about contacting a warden or something & asking,.... they probably have a better idea of what's happened than us.

As for my mulch theory, sequoia bark does make an excellent mulch & when added to soil helps with water retention. People nowadays seem to steal the strangest things & if there's & bob to be made, anything's possible.