Live Oak Tree Trunk Holes - Ask Extension
There are small horizontal lines of holes on the tree trunks of my live oak. It's about 17 years old. They have been there for a long time. The ol...
Knowledgebase
Live Oak Tree Trunk Holes #177570
Asked April 27, 2014, 4:56 PM EDT
There are small horizontal lines of holes on the tree trunks of my live oak. It's about 17 years old. They have been there for a long time. The older lines have sealed over. The holes have continually moved up the tree as it has grown.
There were bugs biting the ankles of workers who were up in the trees trimming it. This is what made me think to inquire.
What are they, carpenter ants? How do I treat them?
There were bugs biting the ankles of workers who were up in the trees trimming it. This is what made me think to inquire.
What are they, carpenter ants? How do I treat them?
Collin County Texas
Expert Response
That is damage caused by sapsucker wood peckers. The damage look like it was from last year or older. There isn't really anything practical ways to prevent the woodpeckers from doing this. In most situations a mature tree isn't bothered by this damage and will grow out of it.
Dr. Church,
I have considered Sap suckers but in 17 years of being outdoors I have never seen one in my yard. Are they active at night? What do you think was biting the workers I the tree?
Thank you!
I have considered Sap suckers but in 17 years of being outdoors I have never seen one in my yard. Are they active at night? What do you think was biting the workers I the tree?
Thank you!
Those holes are definitely sapsucker damage. I believe these birds migrate so they may only be in the area for a short part of the summer.
I can only imagine the many insect that could be biting your workers. Ants being the most likely, but also chiggers.
I can only imagine the many insect that could be biting your workers. Ants being the most likely, but also chiggers.
