Greetings!

I have two clusters of filbert trees in my yard and both clusters have done
very well in the past. This year, the one cluster of trees doesn't have any
foliage or blooms on it and is completely bare. The bark around the base of
this tree is peeling off in layers and has white spots under the peeling
bark.

Any suggestions on what this might be? Can I save this tree or should I cut
it down before it infects the remaining trees? I live in central Ontario.
Thanks in advance for any help.