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I have a small Corkscrew Hazel in my front garden.  I noticed yesterday that it has a 3" long patch of pure white, smoothness on one side at the base of the trunk.  Does anyone know if this is normal - it looks and feels very odd compared to the rest of the trunk.  Thanks

Has something removed the bark from it?

it doesn't feel that way - it looks like its just grown that way - there are no cuts or callouses, just this smooth bit that is a tiny bit proud of the main stem