What caused this?

[colincurry]

I took this snap because of the contrast between the moss and bark, and the wound in the tree.

It looks very regular but I wondered if it might be woodpecker work?



Colin

[Dogghound]

Could it be where a rotten branch has been snapped off?. Doesnt look like woodpecker to me.

[yukonite]

yeah, it looks like the socket where a branch has been.

[The Woodman]

I think you're right, Dogghound. It looks like a dead branch hole to me, too.

[healfdan]

The tree in question looks like a veteran Birch and the wound is similar to that found when the parasitic fungi Piptoporus betulinus is ripped away from the trunk. Any thoughts on this.

[The Woodman]

I know what you mean but I might be leaning towards one of the willows.
Apart from the moss and algae there appears to be a fungal display visible especially around the south west of the socket.

The stems also appear to be bifurcated, not that common amongst Birch.

Reday to hold my hands up.

[Deb London]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

I know what you mean but I might be leaning towards one of the willows.
Apart from the moss and algae there appears to be a fungal display visible especially around the south west of the socket.

The stems also appear to be bifurcated, not that common amongst Birch.

Reday to hold my hands up.

What's all that about the south west Woodman?

[The Woodman]

Taking the centre of the socket as the compass needle pivot, what appears to me to be fungus shows south west or in clock face parlance between eight and nine of the clock.

Mind you, it might not be fungus at all!

[Deb London]

OMG, sorry. I thought you meant literally, and the position of the moss or something gave it away. Where is the slap on the head smiley?

[colincurry]

I re-visited the spot where I took the original picture.

Here is the culprit - a fallen branch from a willow.

I guess I should have looked for it in the first place, but was so taken with the colours and texture.



Thanks for the various theories.

Colin