Tree bark damage near graound

Question: I have noticed bark damage at the base of many of my trees.  Bark seems to split or crack, open and fall off, leaving white exposed wood.  At first I thought it may be deer rubbing or animal chewing.  Number of trees with this condition is increasing.  doesnt seem to 'girdle' the tree but affects 10-20 percent of the circumference.  I live in North Ridgeville in eastern Lorain County.  Can send pics.  Any ideas?

responder: Greg C. OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer  Replied July 26, 2024, 4:34 PM EDT
response: Hi Darrell,  Thank you for the pictures.  Reading your description before seeing the pictures, I was expecting to see mower or weed whacker damage to trees in a lawn.  Looking at the pictures, I suspect damage incurred on a more severe scale.  It appears as if mechanical equipment or ATVs may have damaged the trunks, resulting in bark above the wounds dying from the loss of nutrients and water.  Because you would probably know whether the trees were roughed up, my conclusion is likely unfounded.  The following O[klahoma]SU Extension fact sheet addresses mechanical damage:  https://news.okstate.edu/articles/agriculture/2020/gedon_tree_trunk_damage.html.  If there was not initial mechanical damage, more information is needed relating to the type of land and its uses, insect activity, and the species of the trees, including pictures of the trees' setting.  Thank you for your question.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 27, 2024, 10:39 AM EDT
response: Thanks Greg!  What a great service you are providing!  Here are some south-facing pics.  Any chance that the damage could be from animals??  Animals chewing on bark or deer rubbing velvet off antlers??  We have many deer as well as raccoons skunk and opossum.   Like many places we've also had longer episodes of hot dry weather.  What are your thoughts?? Thanks again for your help!  Darrell  On 7/26/2024 4:34 PM, Ask Extension wrote:

responder: Greg C. OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteer  Replied July 27, 2024, 1:04 PM EDT
response: Hi again Darrell,  Thanks for the additional pictures.  The problem still does not appear to be with the trees themselves.  I do not see mulch or leaves built up along the trunks, which often causes problems.  I still suspect external influences.  Deer rubbing antlers could do such damage.  Your pictures , but I would also expect to see it higher along the trunks.  Other critters could also do such damage, usually to gain access to insects under the bark.  In that case, I would expect to see traces of insect activity and loose or damaged bark with insect holes--which are not evident in your pictures.  Therefore, I think deer are most likely and the damage shown is consistent with deer rubbing antlers, although they usually target smaller trees, of which you appear to have plenty.  The University of Minnesota Extension has a good fact sheet on deer damage and deterrence:  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/white-tailed-deer-damage, although it focuses more on deer browsing the foliage rather than bark damage.  It is addressed, however, particularly in the "Identifying deer damage" and the "Netting, tubes..." sections.  I have used tree guards effectively for a small number of apple trees.  That may not be practical for your small forest.  I wish I had better solutions for you problem.  I hope you find a workable solution.  Best wishes,