I got this young sycamore 2 weeks ago when I was hiking in the woods. It seemed quite suitable for transplant so I dug it out watching that I dont damage the roots. Few days ago I noticed something strange. LOOK AT THE SECOND PHOTO Look at the tip of the plant. It looks like a dry straw (please, note that this 'straw' on the photo IS NOT actually attached to the plant, because I had previously peeled it off). LOOK AT THE FIRST PHOTO So I peeled off the 'straw' and this is what I got! My questions - how did that 'straw' appear (due to some sort of damage?) and will the plant be able to grow properly regardless of this flaw? Thanks!
My guess is that a deer (or human vandal) bit/tore off the top of the tree some time ago (before you got it), and tore the bark in doing so, leaving a strip of bark trailing behind. It should be OK, but the stem will be forked - it might need some corrective pruning in a year or two.
