Is this tree next to my house dying?

[Didyousaysomethingdarling]

I think this tree next to my house is sick. Does anyone know anything about trees? Is it normal for a Field Maple/Sycamore to lose it's bark?
It is shedding mainly on the south side. It looks healthy otherwise? I'm concerned it might be sooty bark disease.

Could it be squirrels stripping the bark?
Is it your tree?

Yes it's my tree. It could possibly be squirrels, we get a few in the garden.

Please could you move this thread to 'Gardening' . I think it might get more traffic.

@Didyousaysomethingdarling we'll move it now.

Do you have deer nearby? They're known for stripping bark.

@Pinkywoo. Yes lots of deer locally but I've never seen any in the garden, as my dog would go nuts! I know some trees shed their bark as part of the growing process, it's just I wondered if anyone could tell from the photos, if what was happening to the tree in my garden was it just growing bigger and shedding it's bark, or if it was poorly.

Thank you.

It looks like it might be on its way out, sorry. You probably need to get an tree surgeon in to have a look at it to diagnose properly. Try and find a proper arborist though, not just a bloke with a chainsaw licence.

Not a clue but that tree looks like it has a portrait of IT on it.