Anybody know what kind of tree this is or what may be wrong with?

[Jja360]

I recently bought a house and noticed many things about this tree that don't look quite right. I'm wondering if theres something wrong with it or if it's just a tree im not too familiar with. My main concern is the tree is very close to my house. If its diseased/dying it'd be a concern.

I'll try to summarize all of my suspicions in a list:

1. Distinctive dark bottom bark vs the lighter higher bark. The bottom of the tree looks to be covered in the dark brown oak like bark that is very common in my area (northeast ohio). The upper parts of the tree are a distinctive white. The transition on its own seems very odd and unusual.
2. The lower branches have shed or are shedding their bark. The bark falls to the ground and is a very dark black. These branches must be dead as they are also not sprouting any leaves this spring
3. Near the base of the tree (in the middle of the split) the bark has turned black in an area
4. I've noticed some moss growing on the darker bark at the bottom of the tree.

Any thoughts or input on what this tree is or what's going on is greatly appreciated!

 

[Del_]

Looks like a white poplar and the dark area may be slime flux. Do you see any bubbles or detect the smell of fermentation?

It's normal for a tree to lose lower limbs that get much shade but your tree may be having other problems, too.

 

[Raintree]

Thinning and die back in the crown shows decline. Weeds with no soil disruption under tree shows it's not herbicide or construction root damage. Canker free bark tells us fungal issues is unlikely. So that leaves us with the obvious the popular is at the end of its life span. These are short lived trees 50-60 years old is considered over mature. Planted for fast shade at low cost, these trees are good for business.

 

[Jja360]

Looks like a white poplar and the dark area may be slime flux. Do you see any bubbles or detect the smell of fermentation?

It's normal for a tree to lose lower limbs that get much shade but your tree may be having other problems, too.

Definitely looks to be a white poplar thanks for that info. There's no bubbles or distinct smell

 

[Jja360]

Thinning and die back in the crown shows decline. Weeds with no soil disruption under tree shows it's not herbicide or construction root damage. Canker free bark tells us fungal issues is unlikely. So that leaves us with the obvious the popular is at the end of its life span. These are short lived trees 50-60 years old is considered over mature. Planted for fast shade at low cost, these trees are good for business.

Thanks for the info. What about the tree makes you think it's at the end of its life?

 

[Raintree]

 

[Raintree]

See first sentence of my post.