United Kingdom 
Hi,I would be grateful if anyone had any ideas what is knawing at our lilac tree in the centre of our suburban garden. See picture attached. Perimeter of garden has 6-8ft fence all round, and we have no pets. It does not look like the work of a cat, and bark has also been stripped from further up tree. No sign of any animal/woodpecker during daylight hours- appears to happen at night? Thank you. Malcolm Dodd
9 Apr, 2010
Answers
Some years back, we had pruned a mahonia back - and then found its branches practically stripped clean of bark by grey squirrels.
They went around the garden and damaged at least a dozen different shrubs - including damage to a Japanese acer up in its branches, that this picture reminds me of.
10 Apr, 2010
Actually, thats a good call. Could be...
11 Apr, 2010
I can only think of one animal. Deer!
10 Apr, 2010