Peeling Manzanita Branches

When most trees and shrubs grow, they gradually shed their old bark in an unnoticeable manner. Manzanita and some other smooth barked trees and shrubs such as Sycamores and London Plane Trees, however, seem to shed an entire year's bark all at once when its most rapidly growing during the summer, revealing fresh new bark. Above is a particularly dramatic example of Manzanita shedding its old bark, revealing the fresh bark underneath.