Strange tree growth markings

[catskinner]

Over the years I have seen many snags in the northwest with these strange markings on them. Actually grown as the tree grows, from top to bottom. I was wondering if any of you guys have seen this yourselves. And furthermore what causes it, I am just curios.

 

[Drewtree]

Weird! Never seen anything like that before..

Maybe old healed up wounds from deer or moose antlers?

 

[JeffGu]

Bears!!!

 

[catskinner]

I don't think it was an injury to the tree. These trees are at least 80' tall.

 

[JeffGu]

Maybe they were very tall bears....

Or more likely, sun scald/splits in the bark that healed over?
The softer wood around the callous has eroded away, leaving the bumps. You haven't seen this on a tree that's alive and still has its bark, have you?

 

[oldoakman]

The one photo seems to be close to the ground and with the "bumps" oriented generally in one direction, I would also have to say bears, black bears in particular (see avatar). Seems that this tree was a scratching post or the cubs climbed too high and mom had to get them down.

 

[Treespotter]

No bears. This is more common than we know. Most of the times this will be kept hidden under the bark. This is 'normal' wind load tissue.

 

[JeffGu]

This is 'normal' wind load tissue.

That makes sense. Still, not as awesome as bears. Maybe there was increased wind load on the tree because there were bears in it!

 

[Treetopflyer]

I don't think it was an injury to the tree. These trees are at least 80' tall.

You were , that's eighty feet up the trunk??No, you took ground picture?interesting!?

 

[frashdog]

Do those have bark on them?
Does not look like it.