The habits of mammals are science. Whatever did this to this small tree must have really enjoyed it. The tree was in the west Jefferson County of Alabama area, close to, but not adjacent to a pond.
Unfortunately this photo is a little blurry, but from it you can see that the damage goes from the ground up to eight feet or higher.
Here's a close up.
I need your help. What did this? Email me or leave a comment if you know.
Trilliums are science. Trilliums are one of my favorite wildflowers. These could be Red Trillium or Toadshade (Trillium sessile) or Sweet Betsy (Trillium cuneatum). In either case, the flower is sessile, or stalkless, as opposed to many other trilliums which have their flowers on a short stem.
Can't you just imagine a little toad sitting under one?
11 comments:
I'm guessing a human stripped the bark off the tree. From the pictures it look like several nicks from a blade are sunk into the wood.
When I wrote "Mammal" I was, of course, including humans. But why? And why go so high? Unless purposely trying to fool someone.
Not sure why they would do it. What kind of tree was it?
I'm not sure. The only bark left was too high to get a good look, the tree is dead and won't be producing leaves. I should go back and see what leaves if any are on the ground around it. Or look for similar trees around it.
Maybe a beech or some other smooth bark from what we can see.
Where did you find the trillium? We would like to see some but haven't found any around this area.
Thanks.
The trillium were found in the woods on the farm, near McCalla.
well it almost has to be because of the height it goes up
the tree ..the work of a deer.. a beaver... or man..doesnt it? deer
eat bark dont they..and beavers also...and man?...no telling
From what I understand, bears do this but i'm not sure any live in McCalla. Beavers do this but only as high as they can reach. Sometimes with deep snow they stand on the snow and reach higher, but I don't think we had that much snow. Deer do this but I don't think they could reach that high. Humans who do this, well they should be tied to the tree and...
Joe said... "Humans who do this, well they should be tied to the tree and..."
Do I hear banjo music?
Hey y'all (and Hey Joe!),
This is a sweet birch tree that is on our farm. There's no way a person did this. I see the incisions - they look surgical - but this would have taken far more time than a jigsaw puzzle to do, and I'm in the woods there every day and have never seen anyone else.
I know that birches have methyl salicate in the bark - ie, wintergreen flavor - would there be some kind of animal or bird that would be attracted to that?
Based on how high the marks are, I can rule out beavers. But this doesn't seem to be the work of squirrels either.
A total mystery!
Hey Joe,
thanks. I wasn't sure what kind of tree it was. I was looking for an excuse to come back down there...
Oh I do need to come down and talk about farming. Alabama Victory Gardens needs some of your expertise.
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