Hi John,

Thank you for your question.

Our Josephine County agent responds:

These look like Douglas-fir trees and are likely infested with an insect called the flatheaded fir borer. The bark is being knocked or shaved off by woodpeckers who are harvesting the insect larvae. These tree may still have green needles but unfortunately they will turn red and will die, probably in the next 2-3 months.

This issue is a result of ongoing drought and high temperatures in SW Oregon, particularly on sites where the average annual rainfall is under 45 inches. Douglas-fir trees growing in overcrowded conditions, on harsh sites (such as south slopes) or where soils are shallow or have a high clay content (often indicated by the presence of Oregon white oak) are more likely to be affected. Thinning to reduce density and favor other species such as pines and oaks may help in the long run.

Here is a link to a fact sheet on this insect: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Documents/forestbenefits/FFB_2016.pdf

Kind regards,

Margaret