What is stripping the bark on my pecan tree?

[Kurdawg]

Wife had a piece hit her, started looking around and there is a bunch of it on the ground. Any ideas?

[Shane]

Porcupine?

[Kurdawg]

Porcupine?

I wouldn't think so in a neighborhood in Nederland.

[buckmastertexas]

Maybe some some bug or beetle. I hope not. Dang!

[BrandonA]

I agree cupine

[cosmiccowboy]

Wood ants

[lovemylegacy]

Lightning?

[Kurdawg]

Looking it up it seems like it's what I thought it was. Squirells! Either looking for food, water or pregnant about to give birth.

[KenWood]

Dang! I was about to say that. Squirrels use it to make their homes.

[Boss Buck]

Dancer??

[Texas Grown]

I've seen squirrels strip new-leaf branches to build nest. And leave the main branch bare.
Look for a spot in the tree where it looks like it may be dying or diseased. Squirrel may be eating the rotten wood out to make a nest too. My neighbor hates squirrels in her pecan tree. They play havoc on the pecans she likes to keep. So she gives me a mini loaf of banana nut bread for every one that disappears. I got 15 loaves last fall.

[Johnny Dangerr]

I've seen squirrels strip new-leaf branches to build nest. And leave the main branch bare.
Look for a spot in the tree where it looks like it may be dying or diseased. Squirrel may be eating the rotten wood out to make a nest too. My neighbor hates squirrels in her pecan tree. They play havoc on the pecans she likes to keep. So she gives me a mini loaf of banana nut bread for every one that disappears. I got 15 loaves last fall.

Lol....

If it is a circular pattern it it defiantly squirrels.... They kill the limbs that give them nuts (Great idea God)

[Jerry H]

I've seen squirrels strip new-leaf branches to build nest. And leave the main branch bare.
Look for a spot in the tree where it looks like it may be dying or diseased. Squirrel may be eating the rotten wood out to make a nest too. My neighbor hates squirrels in her pecan tree. They play havoc on the pecans she likes to keep. So she gives me a mini loaf of banana nut bread for every one that disappears. I got 15 loaves last fall.

Plus 15 meals of fried squirrel