Top of Branches in Red Oak, Bark is Missing

[Willber]

Maybe there is already a posting and response to this kind of condition. If needed delete for clutter reduction.
Maybe it's caused by lightning.
The smaller tree, with less of this issue, had what looks like some bark carvings, on the main stem.
What might this be?

Top of Branches in Red Oak missing Bark1.jpg

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Top of Branches in Red Oak missing Bark2.jpg

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Top of Branches in Red Oak missing Bark3.jpg

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Top of Branches in Red Oak missing Bark4.jpg

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[Tom Dunlap]

what do you see in other species nearby? Same age trees?

 

[Willber]

Oh, these 2 trees are the only ones in this area, of about 1 acre, that have this issue. I was pruning 3 other quite large Oaks, that were taller than these 2, and didn't observe this issue in them, or other species of trees that I was pruning in this area.
Though yes, the larger Oak in these pictures, (at about 32" DBH) is older than any other, tree in this area, and has less height, than all other relatively old trees, like the 3 others I was in. So, it could be that this large DBH Oak was once the tallest tree in the area, and was more susceptible to lightning.
The next oldest tree is about 24" DBH.


One side note, when I was just over half way up the smaller Oak, with this issue, it had a slight wavy shake to it.
Like what you experience when climbing a tree that has known internal, near full length, compromise of some rot.

 

[ClimbingTN]

Off topic but, what’s that rope? Looks cool!

 

[Willber]

Courant Kalimba Rope, the best rope on the market, in terms of least flattening and self tending.
And, another thing about this rope that cannot be forgotten, that comes from it resisting flattening, is that it does not internally twist like HyperClimb and Drenaline, and Voyager, and others.
But, has a little stretch, not too bad, a little more than HyperClimb. Also, comes with a nice low profile eye, like Drenaline.
I got it from MLR Ropes, I bought it from them, because they have had the most experience with making the "spLife" for the Kalimba, as I understand. I like to have something that has been time tested.

 

[TreeCo]

My guess is caused by lightning.

 

[Willber]

Yae, that's what I was thinking, but it is kinda interesting that this bark loss, is so prolific throughout most of the main branches/leaders, nice to see it is trying to grow back, but likely will never healthfully seal over.