Fruit tree bark stripping?

[Tig]

Anyone know what might be stripping the bark from the branches of my young plum tree?

I spotted the first signs of damage the other day, just little torn strips on several of the laterals, much worse today! I hope it doesn't get a fungal infection

Anything I can put on the 'cuts'?

I've just been out and wrapped it up in some pea netting in the hope that whatever had been stripping can't get at it now!

x Tig

[Jasmine]

Might it be birds pinching little loose bits for their nests Tig
I've only ever known bunnies and deer strip bark and it's definitely not bunnies if its branches that are loosing their bark.

[Missredhead]

Tree rats?

[Tig]

I wondered about the tree rats Missy, or possibly birds

Just not sure, because the strips are pulled away quite long, a tough job for a bird, but they are fine, I would have thought the squirrel would have left teeth marks and I couldn't see any, even with my new glasses on! Will see if anything is trapped in the green mesh tomorrow, or if it is all unravelled I will go with the tree rat!

Just hope the damage doesn't let nasties in!

x Tig

[Rosefriend]

Any news or corpses etc ??

RF

[Tig]

Nope, the net was still secure this morning and there was no new damage, wish I had put it on when I spotted the first signs though

[Ladygardener]

Could well be squirrels Tig, I thought you might be interested in this.
icwdm.org/wildlife/Squirrels/barkstripping.asp

[Tig]

Thanks for the link LG - whatever it was hasn't been able to get through the plastic netting, although the tree looks a bit silly there's been no more damage.

x Tig

[Jasmine]

Interesting link LG. Not content with raiding the bird table they also strip tree bark