Tree Holes and Borers

Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison  talks about holes in trees. Many of the small holes you may see in a tree are woodpecker holes. These most likely not harmful to the tree. If you see sap or frass coming out of a hole you probably have a borer. Borers can kill a tree and the problem needs to be addressed, probably with a systemic insecticide. Some borers are a secondary infection that only develops when the tree is stressed. Large knot holes happen when a limb was broken off or pruned too close to the tree. These are not big problems for trees either.

October 8, 2016

Related Resources:
Common Tree Borers in Tennessee
Insect Borers of Fruit Trees
Sapsucker Damage on Woody Plants