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What type of animal caused this tree damage?

While hiking in Wakulla State Forest, I came across this tree. The bark was completely stripped off and the tree seemed to be bitten in chucks. Then small holes where scattered about. Does anyone know what type of animal would cause this type of tree damage?

Tags: tree damage, wakulla state forest, wildlife

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Permalink Reply by Ata on March 5, 2010 at 10:15pm: A chupacabras hmmm maybe llololol

I think it could be a bear; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by footTRAX on March 5, 2010 at 10:30pm: Florida Yeti, Very rare! It has been so cold out, that it made it's way down to South Florida. My guess would be a bear or a skilled Woodpecker.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ata on March 5, 2010 at 10:31pm: HAHAHAHAHAHA

footTRAX said:
Florida Yeti, Very rare! It has been so cold out, that it made it's way down to South Florida. My guess would be a bear or a skilled Woodpecker.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bricky Way on March 6, 2010 at 7:30am: Wow, that almost has to be an example of squirrel bark stripping, but its pretty extensive. Here's a guess at why: those black dots are, I think, evidence of insect damage. The native redbay trees are being devastated by the introduced redbay ambrosia beetle, and based on the bark that's left this could be a redbay. I wonder if the cold weather has made the squirrels desperate for food and they are stripping the bark to get to the beetles that might be a good source of protein?

Were there any leaves on that tree, Barbara?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Janie Hamilton on March 6, 2010 at 8:00am: My son says black bear!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by footTRAX on March 7, 2010 at 9:13pm: I saw this today and it reminded me of this forum. It's of a Slash Pine tree that has been rubbed down by hogs. It was very rubbed down!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Barbara Bowen on March 7, 2010 at 9:58pm: I don't believe there were any leaves on it. It already had lichen growing up the side. I do agree with Janie that it most likely was a black bear. The size of the teeth marks where much to big to be a squirrel....unless it had woodchuck teeth! =)
But I am sure the squirrels came in behind and tried to eat the beetles. Good observation on that!

Bricky Way said:
Wow, that almost has to be an example of squirrel bark stripping, but its pretty extensive. Here's a guess at why: those black dots are, I think, evidence of insect damage. The native redbay trees are being devastated by the introduced redbay ambrosia beetle, and based on the bark that's left this could be a redbay. I wonder if the cold weather has made the squirrels desperate for food and they are stripping the bark to get to the beetles that might be a good source of protein?

Were there any leaves on that tree, Barbara?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ata on March 7, 2010 at 10:03pm: I still think it was a chupacabras :)

Barbara Bowen said:
I don't believe there were any leaves on it. It already had lichen growing up the side. I do agree with Janie that it most likely was a black bear. The size of the teeth marks where much to big to be a squirrel....unless it had woodchuck teeth! =)
But I am sure the squirrels came in behind and tried to eat the beetles. Good observation on that!

Bricky Way said:
Wow, that almost has to be an example of squirrel bark stripping, but its pretty extensive. Here's a guess at why: those black dots are, I think, evidence of insect damage. The native redbay trees are being devastated by the introduced redbay ambrosia beetle, and based on the bark that's left this could be a redbay. I wonder if the cold weather has made the squirrels desperate for food and they are stripping the bark to get to the beetles that might be a good source of protein?

Were there any leaves on that tree, Barbara?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bricky Way on March 9, 2010 at 1:59pm: I don't know Barbara, I don't think bear teeth can make those rodent-type chisel marks like are on that tree. I googled some images of squirrel bark stripping and they can do quite a number.

Whatever did this was probably mostly after the inner bark but I doubt they turned down the beetles if they were there.

Barbara Bowen said:
I don't believe there were any leaves on it. It already had lichen growing up the side. I do agree with Janie that it most likely was a black bear. The size of the teeth marks where much to big to be a squirrel....unless it had woodchuck teeth! =)
But I am sure the squirrels came in behind and tried to eat the beetles. Good observation on that!

Bricky Way said:
Wow, that almost has to be an example of squirrel bark stripping, but its pretty extensive. Here's a guess at why: those black dots are, I think, evidence of insect damage. The native redbay trees are being devastated by the introduced redbay ambrosia beetle, and based on the bark that's left this could be a redbay. I wonder if the cold weather has made the squirrels desperate for food and they are stripping the bark to get to the beetles that might be a good source of protein?

Were there any leaves on that tree, Barbara?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Barbara Bowen on March 9, 2010 at 4:08pm: I see what you mean Brickman. They do have those Fox squirrels all over up there and they are bigger than the common grey squirrel. And I thought it was odd not to see any type of bear claw marks.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by footTRAX on March 9, 2010 at 5:34pm: Makes me hungry for Beetles! Is it dinner time?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Troy Day on April 14, 2010 at 11:31pm: It would not be a boar cause of there weight and size getting that high. The only thing I would think of is a black bear, male white tail dear, or humans with an a machete. But the likely a black bear to do this damage if not a human.; ▶ Reply to This