Bugs living in tree and tree health - Ask Extension
- How do we get rid of the multiple bugs living in one of our trees in our backyard? Bugs include white ash flies (no picture attached is it is hard t...
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Bugs living in tree and tree health #804341
Asked August 02, 2022, 8:21 PM EDT
- How do we get rid of the multiple bugs living in one of our trees in our backyard? Bugs include white ash flies (no picture attached is it is hard to catch them on camera), beetle looking thing with wings and red body under the wings (photo attached), and other bugs like ants and flies (not pictured).
- Our tree has many holes in it, not sure if this is from bird activity or insects.The trunk is also black. We are unsure if this is the actual color of the bark or if the previous owners of our home put some sort of lacquer on the trunk in hopes of protecting it. Is our tree in good health or does it need to be removed from our property based on it's current condition and the insects that have seem to taken over it?
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question. It is difficult accurately diagnose tree problems from pictures. You can contact the Washington County Extension Master Gardeners for more in depth assistance www.metromastergardeners.org.
The photo of the leaf shows a stink bug egg mass. It's likely eggs of the brown marmorated stink bug, which has become pests in Oregon in recent years. They will feed on maple and related (plane and sycamore) tree seeds, and many other plant seeds and fruits.
The holes look more like woodpecker holes than insect emergence holes. Holes that are large and just superficial would indicate woodpeckers.
Tree bark can become darkened/blackened if there is a "weeping" wound where sap oozes out. That sap can be colonized by a fungus that produces that dark type of staining. There can often be cracks in the crotch of trees that will ooze sap. Again, the master gardeners can give more guidance on what specific problems may exist. A certified arborist can also inspect the tree.
From the wide shot of the tree, it looks like the canopy is full and the leaves look healthy (there do not appear to be limbs few leaves or dead leaves) but it would be helpful to have some expert eyes take an in person look.
The photo of the leaf shows a stink bug egg mass. It's likely eggs of the brown marmorated stink bug, which has become pests in Oregon in recent years. They will feed on maple and related (plane and sycamore) tree seeds, and many other plant seeds and fruits.
The holes look more like woodpecker holes than insect emergence holes. Holes that are large and just superficial would indicate woodpeckers.
Tree bark can become darkened/blackened if there is a "weeping" wound where sap oozes out. That sap can be colonized by a fungus that produces that dark type of staining. There can often be cracks in the crotch of trees that will ooze sap. Again, the master gardeners can give more guidance on what specific problems may exist. A certified arborist can also inspect the tree.
From the wide shot of the tree, it looks like the canopy is full and the leaves look healthy (there do not appear to be limbs few leaves or dead leaves) but it would be helpful to have some expert eyes take an in person look.
