We are trying to get information on what to do for bore holes in our bradford pear trees. Our trees have serveral holes that we have covered with wound healer. It is a black spray that is normally used in pruning trees. We have been told that wood peckers may be the problem.
They are seeking insects that are in the trees therefore creating holes. Can you help us with our problem. Any information woud be greatly appreciated.

Reply to post by Bill Smith , on January 22, 2002 at 22:28:49:

Well, for a start whatever you are spraying around the bore holes is not doing your tree any good. If the information you received, was from a good and reliable source, and the damage was inflicted by a woodpecker, you may have possibly broken a federal law. Woodpeckers are protected birds so if you harmed the woodpecker with your magic spray can of "stuff", you could be guilty of a federal offense. Not likely to happen admitedly. What can you do about it???? Enjoy the pecker's presence in your yard.

James.

Reply to post by James Causton, on January 22, 2002 at 22:28:49:

I'm a big fan of woodpeckers too; I enjoy red-heads and pileated rat-tatting in the tops of my trees.
However, I've seen them severely damage dogwoods and fruit trees in other landscapes. I prescribe for the homeowner the application of a plant-based repellents, which were originally used to stop cribbing by horses, but work to deter beavers, rodents, and other bark-injuring creatures.
The main ingredients are cayenne and mustard, so you can blend your own concoction if you like. I think the OG people at Rodale have a formula. There may be some reaction by the tree to these repellents, so applying it to the bark around the wounded area instead of in the wounds is recommended.
Wrapping netting around the site ca also deter the birds. To address the cause, work to retain and replace the birds' habitat by conserving the canopy trees in your area. Leave dead ones standing where they don't pose a hazard. The woodpeckers would much rather not have to visit your garden.
As for federal regulations regarding bird control, they are no doubt well-intentioned, and good where they prohibit damage to endangered species. "Wound dressing" is often petroleum-based, and toxic to birds--and trees. But I think I'm safe in prescribing repellants out of the kitchen cabinet, aren't I James?

Reply to post by Guy, on January 22, 2002 at 22:51:44:

I have seen expanded metal wraped around long sections of trunk that were effective in dicouraging sapsuckers.

Reply to post by Guy, on January 22, 2002 at 22:51:44:

Repellants out of the kitchen cabinet ehhh!!!! Interesting, I guess it might give you some leeway there, "I was just trying to offer the birds some spicy gourmet food your honor". I must admit that I do not know the answer to that one Guy, I suspect that the critical issue would be whether it was harmful to the birds or not and, if so, whether you knew that or should have known that.
I have used protective coverings over areas where sapsuckers have almost girdled trees, as JPS suggested, it moves the birds somewhere else while the damaged area gets into recovery mode. But that is dealing with sapsuckers, if you have 'pecker damage it is a whole different issue, as you know. The 'pecker is looking for a house on the inside and he knows there is decay in there which makes it easier for him/her to build it. The sapsucker just wants his/her sugar fix!!
Amazing what interesting discussions turn up here in Russ's knothole habitat ,

James

Reply to post by James Causton, on January 23, 2002 at 10:52:28:

re metal, I've seen it too, on old maples, and wonder if it causes problems of its own if left on long. I've seen some weird crud growing under them. Either way, I can't see it fitting on a Bradford.
re botanical repellents, it seems extremely doubtful they could hurt a bird.
Since sapsuckers peck the wood beefore they suck the sap, they're a kind of woodpecker to me. I doubt the original poster has a bird trying to drill a nest hole in a Bradford.
Are any other than the red cockaded one federally endangered?

Reply to post by Guy, on January 23, 2002 at 21:10:47:

Yep, the sheet metal sure is ugly, even if you paint it greenish brown. I have only ever left it in place 2 yrs. and have not seen the sapsuckers return to that same spot yet.
As far as the 'peckers are concerned it seems like about 20 species are endangered worldwide, the only ones in N.America are "red cockaded" and "imperial". I do not know the ranges of either of these birds. Of course, there could also be state lists of species not listed with the feds. There is also the "migratory bird act" to consider. Messing with some kingdom,phylla,class,order,family,genus or species, could land anyone in trouble these days,

James.

Reply to post by Guy, on January 23, 2002 at 21:10:47:

The sapsuckers are in the family Picidae, along with other woodpeckers.

More info at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/chordata/aves/piciformes/picidae.html

Food sources: (from web site above)

The main food source is insects. The most common are beetles, ants, moths and dragonflies. When insects are not abundant, sap is an important food source. Sphyapicus varius gets its sap from poplar, willow, birch, maple, hickory, pine, spruce and fir trees. Other sources of food taken from October to February include berries and fruits.

(Bent 1992, Winkler et al. 1995)

Reply to post by James Causton, on January 23, 2002 at 23:34:41:

Also on their food list we can add dogwood, Callery pear, redbud, etc.
Even if these birds aren't on a govt list, I think it's our responsibility (uh oh, should I go to Ethics?) to protect them, even as we protect our customers' trees from them.

Preserving canopy trees is the way to preserve the habitat of these and many other valuable creatures. That's one more reason that active management of fungal and bacterial infections is the arborist's duty.

If we let pathogens rot the bottoms of the trees, then we are a party to the loss of all the values delivered by the tops of those trees.
One guy's opinion, for what it's worth.

Reply to post by Bill Smith , on January 22, 2002 at 22:28:49:

I recently noticed bore holes in my Bradford pears -- and only in the pears, despite the presence of many other varieties of tree. The holes are about 1/4 inch in diameter and generally regularly spaced, often like a pearl necklace around the trunk. They go through the bark but appear to stop short of drilling deep into the wood itself. Does this description match up with bird damage?