Q&A – What are these strange patterns on my camellia bark?

Question:
What are these strange patterns on my camellia bark?
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Answer:
This damage is caused by a yellow-bellied sapsucker woodpecker. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says she has had the same thing happen to some of her shrubs. The branch may die, but the plant will probably survive.
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​Related Resources:
Preventing Woodpecker Damage
Do Woodpeckers Damage Your Trees?