Looks like a couple of issues we need to address here. First, the damage. We need to figure out if this was caused by the borers or some other insect, or if the residents of these holes are just taking advantage of the damage that has already occurred. More than not, borers/insects are just taking advantage of a damaged, stressed tree.  The damage here could be caused by an impact (constant hits with the mower or weed whip) or naturally due to the nature of our winters (a warm day will thaw the southwest part of the tree...and that frost/re-freeze cycle will cause frost cracks/winter injury). For future reference, both of these can be remedied early in a trees life with both tubing in winter, and some sort of lawn/weed suppression around the edge of the trunk - think a border with an inch or two of mulch, and weed barrier etc. so the mower/weed whip remains away from the trunk. Ensuring the tree has adequate moisture in fall will also limit the damage as the tree becomes more mature.

Will this tree make it? possibly it will continue to live for any number of years, but that damage and the insect attacks look fairly bad (eventually this tree will succumb to internal rot). It won't ever look better, and if that is one of your chief concerns, then the tree should just be replaced this fall - once the heat of summer has passed. 

I have a suspicion that his tree may have been planted too deep as well, but I cant be more definitive with just the picture. Trees planted too deep will also eventually develop serious problems (for when you do have the tree replaced).

https://extension.umn.edu/how/planting-and-transplanting-trees-and-shrubs#staking-1401314

See if you can dig around and find out what insect is in there, maybe we can identify that pest to see if that will be an issue in the future.  

We bought the house and did not plant it, but all tops are SO appreciated. We use a weed eater, but the damage seemed to start higher with the vertical crack. Is there any point in treating with a pesticide for bugs? We also have a dog so I am not a fan of chemicals. So for clarity: even if the bugs are dealt with and the tree heals it will not nourish itself the correct way?

Thank you, all good information and future education.

Tips, not tops. Whoops!!!

Blurry but we just have this bug and a few ants.



Maybe this? Guessing a wood boring something. Any risk for house?

Maybe this? Guessing a wood boring something. Any risk for house?

I'm going to suggest you email the picture of the insect and the picture of the trunk damage to Dr. Ball (<personal data hidden>).

My guess is that the insects are a secondary issue, and the main problem for this maple is that huge wound on the trunk. If the tree is only 10 years old, I would think about replacing it.

We do not have Asian longhorn beetle in SD.