De-Barking of a Tree

I am pretty sure this is not the technical term for a tree losing its bark, but the tree is definitely losing it. The tree is dead (which could be why it is losing it's bark) but was it sick and then died and is now shedding? Or do they just naturally let go of their bark after they die? Who knows. I'm not sure what kind of tree it even is but it is really shedding it's skin. I don't see any signs of bugs although it appears as though the wood peckers are feasting. Nonetheless, I am enjoying it visually.