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

I have a 3yr old tree in the back yard that is always losing 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 off. I don't
know what kind it is but was wondering if any trees do that naturally?

Many trees have bark that peels, like a snake shedding its skin as it grows. It
is considered an added attraction. What color is the new bark? Describe the
leaves. We may be able to tell you what it is. Where do you live?
Iris,
Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40
"If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming
train."
Robert Lowell (1917-1977)

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/

It would help to know what kind of tree you have. Mack's cherry, Prunus
mackii might flake off it's bark.


"Coffee" wrote in message
...
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

"Coffee" wrote in message
...
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



Other possibilities:
birch - white
river birch - reddish brown and white
crape myrtle (to a lesser extent)

The color under the shedding bark is much lighter in color--(medium beige?)
I live in PA. zone6--No leaves yet to describe correctly to you--
It has grown 15ft in 3yrs. It was about 3ft high when my husband put it
in --got it from a buddy at work who is no longer there and my husband can't
remember what kind it is.
I spike the trees each spring(fertilize)
It just sheds all the time!!
Patty

On Tue, 25 Mar 2003 15:46:33 GMT, "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

We had birch and i think, eucalyptus trees, they both shed their bark
in a big way.
·.·´¨ ¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
jammer
((¸¸.·´ ..·´
-:¦:- ((¸¸

If you are in Pennsylvania, that narrows your options a little bit (no
eucalyptus or madrone for you). It could be a birch, a paperbark maple, a
sycamore or a sycamore hybrid (london plane tree), or even a stewartia. If
you look up each of these on google, you should be able to find pictures of
trees, leaves, and bark to help you identify your tree.
"Coffee" wrote in message
...
The color under the shedding bark is much lighter in color--(medium
beige?)
I live in PA. zone6--No leaves yet to describe correctly to you--
It has grown 15ft in 3yrs. It was about 3ft high when my husband put it
in --got it from a buddy at work who is no longer there and my husband
can't
remember what kind it is.
I spike the trees each spring(fertilize)
It just sheds all the time!!
Patty