Redbud borer in Portland ? - Ask Extension
My cercis canadensis Forest Pansy redbud has apparently died from an attack by a boring insect. There are trails under bark. Strange amber colored fli...
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Redbud borer in Portland ? #796310
Asked June 16, 2022, 2:42 PM EDT
My cercis canadensis Forest Pansy redbud has apparently died from an attack by a boring insect. There are trails under bark. Strange amber colored flies similar to damsel flies swarm around/land on the trunk. There are holes in the bark which are noticeable close up. No leaves or blossoms came out this year, but there were leaves last year. I gave it extra water during the heatwave last year as the leaves drooped. Can you tell me if this is a new type of redbud parasite? There are regular redbuds on next block which have no pests at all.
Let me know please. An arborist did not recognize the bug by its trails but did say it most likely killed the 17 year old tree .
Multnomah County Oregon
Expert Response
That definitely looks like boring insect damage. I am not aware of any redbud-specific insect pests. Boring insects attack trees that are already stressed.
With the damage as extensive as it is to the main trunk of the tree, it is too late to apply any treatment that would be effective to save it.
Redbuds are not long-lived trees and they are susceptible to pests, unfortunately. This tree is in decline and there is
nothing curative to repair bark damage like this. You can either leave it as it and allow it to decline naturally, or consider
removing and replacing it.
With the damage as extensive as it is to the main trunk of the tree, it is too late to apply any treatment that would be effective to save it.
Redbuds are not long-lived trees and they are susceptible to pests, unfortunately. This tree is in decline and there is
nothing curative to repair bark damage like this. You can either leave it as it and allow it to decline naturally, or consider
removing and replacing it.
Here’s some of the flying insects that were captured during the removal. There were hundreds swarming around and landing on the redbud, but not any other trees or cut wood
Hello, sorry for the delay.
It could be dogwood twig borer as seen here: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/insect-and-related-pests-of-shrubs/pests-of-dogwood
I've not seen this pest in the Pacific Northwest before.
With boring insects, they go after stressed trees and they are very difficult to control once they attack a tree.
It could be dogwood twig borer as seen here: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/insect-and-related-pests-of-shrubs/pests-of-dogwood
I've not seen this pest in the Pacific Northwest before.
With boring insects, they go after stressed trees and they are very difficult to control once they attack a tree.
Hello and thanks for continuing this conversation. None of the images or descriptions seem to fit exactly the flying insect accompanying the damaged tree.
I do have some in a jar which have now died but can be examined. My thought is this may be a newly introduced pest which could pose a problem in future, possibly across several species of trees.
Is there somewhere I could take the insects for identification?
Thanks.
- Teresa
On Jun 22, 2022, at 10:16 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
You could report your finding to the Oregon Department of Agriculture: https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/ippm/pages/aboutippm.aspx
They have entomologists that can identify the insect.
They have entomologists that can identify the insect.
