Big tree's going to be a problem?

I have been concerned about the health of a few trees around our house they have patches of bark falling away, ive heard that this may be a warning sign that the tree could become dangerous. i know nothing at all about trees, id really appreciate some advice on whether or not i should be concerned. ill post some pictures tomorrow of the trees and the areas of concern.

 

Allan do you know what species the trees are?

 

Hi Allan, as Sheal says if we know the species then someone will know if there's cause for concern as some trees do shed bark with age, Eucalyptus are one for example

 

ill get some photo's today but i have no idea what type of trees they are. hopefully someone will have an idea without seeing the leaves on them as they havent started getting there leaves back yet

 

i think the tree may be a sycamore but im not sure here are some pictures.

 

I can't identify them without them being in leaf Allan. But looking at the pictures they seem to be getting on in years. I wouldn't worry about the bark at this point it may just be a natural process as I can't see any disease there. If the trunk starts to split on any of them, then that may be cause for concern. Also keep an eye on the trees leafing up this year, if they fail to appear on certain branches or look wilted then that will be a sign that something is wrong.

 

thankyou. ill keep an eye on it and possibly post some more picks when its got its leaves

 

If anything from what I can see they have been watered well over the wet and warm winter, this is possibly why the bark has split from the maintrunk. As people have stated wait until leaves have formed well in the canopy of the tree, then if you can pictures of the canopy and both sides of the leaf are good to see.

 

If anything from what I can see they have been watered well over the wet and warm winter, this is possibly why the bark has split from the maintrunk. As people have stated wait until leaves have formed well in the canopy of the tree, then if you can pictures of the canopy and both sides of the leaf are good to see.

 

what do you think about pictures 3 and 4 though? the bark has been gone there for a long time

 

3&4 definitely have age to the bark loss, 2&3 possibly Ash, 1 Horse chestnut, 5 ?, and 4 maybe a Hornbeam. But I would prefer to look at a cross cut of the trunk to be sure. No not really, it's the hardest thing to do is look at a tree and not know what they are. As before wait till the buds and leaves start to form then take more pictures.

 

Hi Allan,

If in any doubt about tree health then always get a professional arborist in to take a look. There's only so much advice that can be doled out on the internet and from looking at your photos. I mean no offence when I say there may be something vital you've missed on the tree.

Pic. 1. Looks like a horse chestnut, with a tight fork and possible included bark, which suggests a sign of weakness and a possible mechaincal point of failure, but no-one cay say for sure without looking at it close up.

Pic.2. Sign of bark flaking away but no exposed wood beneath. No sign of bleeding or fungal bodies.

Pic. 3 & 4. Signs of old damage to the bark and underlying phloem, but with good reaction wood to the sides. An internal scan of the tree can indicate better the strength or remaining wood left.

Pic. 5. Too dark an image without detail to comment.