What kind of tree is this?

Ever since we moved in this house last year this tree has perplexed me. During the house hunting, before we bought it - I saw a racoon coming out of one of the holes. The thing is HUGE - it may not look like it from the picture, but I am waaaaaay up a hill and when you go to the bottom of the tree - it is large enough around that my husband and I together couldn't wrap our arms around it. It has lots and lots of "holes" and nooks and crannies. Any ideas?

I don't know but it sure is knobby!! Could it be Oak?

Wow that is an unsual tree!

It is knobby. What area in the country do you live in?

Near Cleveland Ohio / Great lakes area. The tree is growing by a small stream. I know some think it ugly, but for some reason it just fascinates me!

mmm are the trees managed there - it looks like they've had their branches taken off until they reach a particular height. Be interesting to see pictures of any leaves - perhaps when they fall to the ground might be a good idea unless you fancy a climb!

What a beautiful tree! I agree with Stormy; it could be an oak.
If you can find a leaf from it, take a pic and post it...I'm pretty good at identifying leaves.

Nope definately not managed - I live in a wooded area, lots of tall trees. Matter of fact twofatcats would love my yard - quite a bit of it is the dastardy moss!

One trouble with getting a leaf - it is surrounded by trees and the branches are soooo far up, I would have to climb it to get a leaf - and I don't like heights!

Ooh no - no climbing! that is an amazing tree if it's not managed then. Very unusual.

We have plenty of moss too - the problem is stopping it growing!!!

I would guess it's an oak but it's not very big around for as old as that tree looks.

It is very big around, the picture is taken way up a hill and from a good ways away. You could hide a few people standing side by side behind the tree and have room left over! Picture a full grown raccoon coming out from one of those holes - plus the first picture dosen't show the bottom. Once the ground dries up a bit, I will have to make the hike down the steep hill and get a better perspective picture.

It's nice that it's old and holey for the coons. Gives them a place to live. Probably plenty of squirrels in there, too

You really can't tell the species because it isn't in leaf or anything! Even if you can't pluck a leaf off, when it leafs out you could zoom the camera onto some leaves, couldn't you? Also, look in the leaf litter below the tree for last year's leaves. Post pics of all the different kinds you find around its base, and also look for things like acorns (if it's an oak, there will be acorns below it, most certainly).

It would be helpful to get the bark a little closer, too.

Yes, a close up of the bark, plus some of the old leaves beneath it would probably help identify it.

Could it be the rare "deer tree" ??? lol

LOL, is that where all the dear have been coming from!

I found a tree forum, and one person told me the same as you, it is hard to tell what kind of tree it is, but they think it has lead a hard life. Probably been here before the rest of the "forest" and as the younger trees have grown up around it and shaded it, the tree has "self pruned".

haha i saw that and just HAD to PS the antlers on! lol

The tree now has a name, "The Deer Tree" - Whish me luck, I am going to try to make it to the bottom of the steep hill tomorrow for closer pictures, and I will let it know that it now has a name, and that it has freinds all over the country/world. Yes, I am odd, I talk to the plants and the trees.

Hmmm. I'm not sure that would be an oak. There are alot of "live oaks" here in Fla. They get huge, but their trunks are stout, & shorter, with a huge canopy of twisted thick branches & small leaves. The perfect climbing tree, definitely.
Do you know any woodworkers/carpenters?