Sapsucker damage

[@markgkenny2264]

Great video - very clear and comprehensive. Nice job. Thanks!😄

[@kbkesq]

I am trying to smear wet fireplace ash in the holes that they’ve already drilled because they’re leaking so much sap and it is a maple tree so I think it is extra sweet and extra attractive to them. It is an ornamental tree so I’d like to have it live longer. Hopefully this works. We’ll see.

[@tyg5421]

Thanks I have one of these little guys on a apple tree on the property. From the bottom of the trunk all the way up to the branches ..

[@kyforesthealth]

Sorry to hear! But, good news that it rarely is a major health issue for the tree (although it certainly doesn't help them).

[@michaelparsons6833]

My live oak was getting beat up by one of these so I went to Hobby Lobby and got some mirrors about the size of a quarter. A string and a hot melt glue gun worked great. I put the string between two of the mirrors and glued them together. Just hung them on the tree and dangled around the trunk. The bird put skid marks in the sky trying to get away from it. How ever a blue bird has decided to fight the bird in the mirror.

[@slavazavalin]

I have these holes in all my magnolia trees in North Texas.

[@michaelmcdonald3195]

I have a mated pair.and none of my trees have suffered from them drilling.Holes scab over quickly.

[@jeanarnoux1120]

I'm on the West Coast with a Beautiful 30 foot Ginkgo that some form of Sap Sucker has found, Will it kill this tree? It is the Gem of my backyard and Will do what is needed to save my tree. Thanks, Jacques

[@kyforesthealth]

Thanks for your question! Here in our neck of the woods, sapsuckers are typically minor issues. While you can get occasional more significant damage to trees (particularly smaller, landscape trees) not normally a major health problem. In addition, I've not seen ginkgo be a favorite species for sapsuckers. But, take all that with a grain of salt because we are in very different parts of the country! What applies here in Kentucky might be different from what you deal with there and I'd recommend reaching out to your local Extension folks or a knowledgable local arborists instead.

[@jeanarnoux1120]

@@kyforesthealth Thanks so much. The University's here have great programs, don't know why I didn't think of that.

[@kbkesq]

3:38 I thunk they can kill maple trees

[@tech29X]

Yeah, the other day this stupid bird raided my beautiful sugar maple tree on my front lawn. I was shocked to find water flowing down tiny holes across its trunk. After lots of Googling figured its this bird, got some wire mesh to wrap and hug the tree and some spay can to seal those holes left behind to prevent infection. Totally not cool. Thanks for the clear explanation.

[@kyforesthealth]

Did the wire mesh work? I hope so! That and other methods to discourage the birds are really your only options since the birds are protected species. The birds might be pretty but it sure can be frustrating to watch them causing the damage!

[@tech29X]

@@kyforesthealth Yes, it worked. It took a little effort trying to keep couple inches buffer between the trunk and the mesh, but it's been there since and I believe the bird has moved on to another tree. No more holes seeping water on the tree :-)