the tree damage is the split bark all the way up?? not a vole, the lawn possibly but need a better pic. if it is voles you will find nice little holes size of a quarter or a little bit bigger and some tunnels.

ok the tree looks like damage from an old injury that is bigger because tree got bigger. Lawn does not look like voles to me (I have lots of them). I am sure the lawn experts will comment soon, much better pics good job.

not till it starts showing distress, leaves falling off when they shouldn't that kind of thing. what kind of tree?

What kind of grass is that & what is your watering schedule?

might be a watering issue but again i'll leave it to the lawn guys. So back to your tree, I had the hubby take a look at your pic ( worked at a very well known tree nursery)and he says that is a scar from an old wound or a scrape, it could also be sunscald or frost cracks. Now linden trees get very large, so unless you have some variety that stays very small you should plan on replacing it some time in the future while it is still easy to do. here is a link that has a picture that looks like yours......... univ tennessee .............. I think it is past the point of fixing it. good luck !

You could always take your pic's to a reputable tree nursery too. Operative word being tree :)

oh....... voles adore peanut butter :)

The lawn issue appears to be from grubs. I have the same issue. I misapplied my grub control this past summer, and suffered some damage. My lawn is repairing itself as can be expected in the fall. Make sure that you apply a product such as grub-x at least twice, in the early summer, and again in the middle of August, to be on the safe side.

Also, it appears that the mulch has been disturbed. If so, it may be that skunks or raccoons have been digging in it in search of grubs. Do not forget to apply the grub killer to mulched areas as well.