Pin Oak - Borer Problem - Ask Extension
I've a 35+ year old 70 feet tall Pin Oak which has a number of weeping holes from some type of borer. I noticed two to four of this type of wound on ...
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Pin Oak - Borer Problem #471444
Asked July 18, 2018, 12:43 PM EDT
I've a 35+ year old 70 feet tall Pin Oak which has a number of weeping holes from some type of borer. I noticed two to four of this type of wound on many Olney, MD pin oaks, including mine, over 10 years ago. The wounds then were not over three feet up the trunk. Now they are visible in greater numbers that reach to at least 12 feet above ground...spaced between three and 30 inches apart. A previous attempt to dig out a borer failed. I could try again if suggested. I have not seen an adult beetle on the bark.
I've noted no other symptoms of a problem besides these weeping holes. Has this weakened or might it weaken the tree such that the trunk or tap root could more easily snap in a high wind? Even unaware of this issue, my neighbor is concerned for his roof and family safety.
I do not have to keep this tree and when appropriate, will increase light in the back yard by swapping in a much smaller species.
Thank you for any advice provided.
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
What you are seeing is called slime flux.
Here is a page about it:
http://extension.umd.edu/hgic/slime-flux-and-wetwood-trees-and-shrubs
It doesn't mean immediate demise of the tree. If the tree were seriously compromised, you would signs of that in the canopy, poor growth, undersize leaves, branch dieback etc.
Signs and symptoms of failing trees are covered in this page which helps homeowners decide when to remove a tree: http://extension.umd.edu/hgic/plants/how-do-you-decide-when-remove-tree
If it is unhealthy looking, you could hire a certified arborist, who is a tree health expert credentialed by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) to do an on-site evaluation of the health of your tree and it's structural integrity.
You can search for a certified arborist at www.treesaregood.org
cm
Here is a page about it:
http://extension.umd.edu/hgic/slime-flux-and-wetwood-trees-and-shrubs
It doesn't mean immediate demise of the tree. If the tree were seriously compromised, you would signs of that in the canopy, poor growth, undersize leaves, branch dieback etc.
Signs and symptoms of failing trees are covered in this page which helps homeowners decide when to remove a tree: http://extension.umd.edu/hgic/plants/how-do-you-decide-when-remove-tree
If it is unhealthy looking, you could hire a certified arborist, who is a tree health expert credentialed by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) to do an on-site evaluation of the health of your tree and it's structural integrity.
You can search for a certified arborist at www.treesaregood.org
cm
