bark problem on paper Mulberry

[Steve Connally]

I have a customer who has a paper mulberry as an ornamental in their garden. there are areas in the crown where something has chewed the bark or some branches. There is no pattern to the damage. Only small areas are damaged and on small limbs. The leaves curl up and die then the limb dies. I didn't notice any pests or bugs except some ants around the fresh damage. I can post some pics later. I need help?

 

[Steve Connally]

here's the pics

 

[Steve Connally]

heres another

 

[KCGuy]

Arborcare... that's gotta be mammal... too big for anything else, isn't it?

 

[Steve Connally]

Thats what I thought. Maybe a mole or something. Never seen squirels do that and there is no pattern to it at all. I am not strong on my pests so I don't know if there is a brak beetle that would do it. I suppose if it was, they'd wipe out an entire branch before goung to another.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[treemann]

I have seen squirrels damage sugar maple like that

 

[Steve Connally]

I contacted a consulting arbo and he said thats what it was. there is a layer of ?????????? undet the bark they like to line their nests with.