New here..and not sure if I can post these pictures or not... I need to know what does this to the trees. I am in the Piney Woods of East Texas.. these trees are close to a swamp area on our property. Thank you for your help.

Looks like a beaver might be getting ready to drop that tree. I know that the porcupines eat away at the bark like that in west Texas. I don't know though, for sure. Bet it's a beaver...

Hmmm, never seen a 4' Beaver before (not saying that they don't get that big). Looks to me like you've got Hogs!

It is strange that these are the only 2 trees done this way... they were not like this a couple weekends ago when we were 4-wheeling there. We know there are wild hogs in that area, along with deer, possums, raccoons, and many other critters. I have never seen the trees done like this, so I wondered what it could be. I have been researching it and haven't come up with a def. answer.

Could not be Deer then, if you just noticed it a couple of weeks ago. Deer are "Antlered" now, but are in "Velvet" & would NOT be making that kind of rub on trees at this time. JMO.

What other signs should I look for to be able to id what is doing this?

I saw it yesterday.. it was not there a couple of weeks ago

OK,OK you critic!!..j/k . I'll go 3' then, but I'm stand'n firm that it ain't deer.

this swamp area feeds into dh's uncles lake.. he has had a lot of problems with beaver, but I thought they chewed on the smaller trees.. none of the small trees have been affected

Look for tracks, game trails, fur, course hair, etc. Backtrack from the trees to the lake, looking for clues. If Beaver, then you should see drag marks on the ground near or around the lake.

the lake is probably 3/4 mile away... this swamp feeds into it.. the ground under the trees wasn't disturbed, but I didn't get out of the polaris ranger to check to closely.. had my dog with me... could take care of her.. or of unexpected company.. chose to stay in the ranger. Dh will be home this evening and will go back there with him to see what we can find... (and have a gun this time.. just in case.)

Yes,..by all means, go back armed!

thank you guys for your help.. will try and get more data..

Maybe take along a measuring tape... hahaha....

and report back....

Let us know what you find, i'm interested in what it might be. As my sons & i are familiar with the "Piney Woods".

Will do....

It's a beaver. Despite popular belief, I do know some things. I've seen them chew the bark off pine trees, about that same shape and diameter. Why they don't go all the way around the tree - I don't know.

YOUR ALIVE! How you been good buddy?

Been working what's left of my arse off....

Finally got back home latter part of last week. Looking better here.

Looks like it's been raining (flooding) here more than up north. Y'all swim out?

You wouldn't believe that Runnels co place(pasture). All the ponds are full to the top and the creek bottom is full of water. Water everywhere!

I am going to go with some form of disease. It just don't look like where a beaver has been chewing. There would not or should not be those big chunks of bark if it was beavers.

Also, I can't tell for sure in the last picture, but I don't see tooth marks, and beavers teeth leave definite gouge marks in the tree if they are chewing on it.

Also don't believe it is hog, cause every tree I ever seen where a hog was rubbing, it was caked with mud as high as the hogs back could reach.

Did you try pulling any of the remaining bark off the trees when you were taking pictures??

Try to see if the bark surrounding the bare spots is still tight to the trunk or if it is loose. If it is loose, then it is either insects or disease. JMO.

I don't think you're gonna see deep teeth cuttings in the inner bark, Randall. It's a sweetgum tree - not that that tells us anything - but they may just want the bark for some special reason. Seen it many times.

Second critter would be a nurtria rat...maybe.

Look in the first picture of the tree trunk. The bark is still laying around the tree in big chunks. You could be right about it being a beaver, but I have seen the same sort of thing on trees on the place we hunted in Montague county.

I just don't think the evidence points to a beaver, and I ain't ever seen Nutria gnawing on trees. I have seen them out on peoples lawns grazing like sheep, but not eating trees.

If I am not mistaken that is why the muskrat disappeared from so many places, was because the Nutrias and the Muskrats compete for the same types of food.