What Kind of Animal Do You Think Did This? (Yarmouth: school, to eat)

[BoundtofindME]

Thanks everyone! Here's one more picture that shows the top part of what is left of the tree. We're going back up there in a few days, maybe we'll get lucky and catch the little sculptor in the act!

[Nor'Eastah]

That was just me bargin' through in my truck!

I must've dragged some of my payload of bricks against it.

I confess: I am the animal!

[only1way]

I came across this article after searching for what the cause was fi=or several trees in my area, Pennsylvania. The trees were shredded as high as 15 feet and some trees didn't have any damage under six feet high. I don't see how a porcupine or pleated woodpecker can do this type of damage.
I still think it was something else.

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by only1way

I came across this article after searching for what the cause was fi=or several trees in my area, Pennsylvania. The trees were shredded as high as 15 feet and some trees didn't have any damage under six feet high. I don't see how a porcupine or pleated woodpecker can do this type of damage.
I still think it was something else.

Yours is definitely a really tall bear.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Mainewriter is correct. I have a pair of pileated woodpeckers on my land. They nest in a big dead beech.

[Maine Writer]

Originally Posted by only1way

I came across this article after searching for what the cause was fi=or several trees in my area, Pennsylvania. The trees were shredded as high as 15 feet and some trees didn't have any damage under six feet high. I don't see how a porcupine or pleated woodpecker can do this type of damage.
I still think it was something else.

Observation. Take time to watch what's happening. If you don't know what it is, how are you certain of what it isn't? Observe a pileated and take note of how large and strong this bird is and how quickly it works.

NMLM, I have a pair here too. Two males were courting a female yesterday.

[Mathguy]

It's hard to tell scale from the picture but looks like some sort of antler rub.

[Maineah]

Bigfoot!

[Frostbite]

I have a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers on the hill. I sneak in and watch them every time I'm aware they are there. I have never scared them off peeking at them. I think thats important so wont fly off to somewhere a bit more secretive and give up on my hill. Here's a pic of a tree they work on from time to time. You can fit your fist in the large hole. The tree is a bit more beaten up today for I snapped this pic two years ago. There are lots of shreds at the bottom. Clearly these birds have not been as ambitious as whatever shredded that tree. That tree looks like it was real soft and probably was short work for whatever did that. I would check the edges where the outer layer of undisturbed wood meets the damage and look for signs of a beak or claws. I would post that pic on the GardenWeb Birdwatching forum and let some experts diagnose the handiwork.

[retiredtinbender]

Originally Posted by Kracer

A pileated leaves a lot of debris but it is usually concentrated on one side of the tree and hole it was working on is clearly evident.

This photo shows debris all around the tree and the pieces look bigger than what a pileated would leave.

I agree. A pilated would rip a hole and work it out. This looks shredded like a porkie-pine would do. Or bear? But they usually go after trees that have fallen and started rotting like this. Do you have one of those cameras they use on deer trails?