In article , "Coffee"
wrote:

I have a 3yr old tree in the back yard that is always loosing its bark--just
the main trunk not the branches. I thought it was dying but each year its
leaves fill out and it seems fine. The bark can be hand peeled of. I don't
know what kind it is but was wondering if any trees do that naturally?? Or
is it dying? Its over 15ft high now and if it needs cut down, I would rather
do it while its a short height.
Pat

As Iris said, exfoliating bark is normal. On some species it's considered
one of their most interesting traits, as with Paperbark Maples, &
Madronnas. What kind is yours?

-paghat the ratgirl

--
"Of what are you afraid, my child?" inquired the kindly teacher.
"Oh, sir! The flowers, they are wild," replied the timid creature.
-from Peter Newell's "Wild Flowers"
See the Garden of Paghat the Ratgirl: http://www.paghat.com/