Tree Borers - Family Plot

Wood boring insects can cause the decline or death of a tree. UT Extension Entomologist Frank Hale says the borers tunnel into the tree and feed beneath the bark cutting off the flow of nutrients from the roots to the canopy. Usually they attack weakened or declining trees, but they can also attack healthy trees.
The wood borer feeds in the tree for a year or longer before it emerges. This is often the first time you know the tree has a borer because it leaves an exit hole in the bark.
Frank talks about the ambrosia beetle which as it borers into the tree, leaves a toothpick like frass tube sticking out of the bark. The beetle larva inoculates the tree with the ambrosia fungus which they then feed on. To protect the tree an insecticide is sprayed on the bark of the tree in the spring around the time of the first 70-degree days. This is when the beetles become active and start laying eggs.
Another class of borer is the clear-wing borer. They look like wasps but are really moths. These include the peachtree, lilac, and dogwood borers. The moths fly during the day and the larvae burrow into the tree, often killing it.
Flatheaded borers are the larvae of metallic woodboring beetles. The beetles lay their eggs on the sunny side of a tree in the spring and the larvae hatch, burrow into the tree and feed there for about a year.
Emerald ash borers are an invasive metallic woodboring beetle that has been found in eastern Tennessee. It kills all native ash trees that are not treated with systemic insecticides. The larvae girdle the tree. Frank shows what it looks like and the damage it does. To prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer, do not transport firewood or non-certified ash trees.
Any tree affected by woodboring insects will begin to show signs of weakening. There will be a thinning of the leaves and branch dieback in the upper canopy.
Frank also talks about the Asian longhorn beetle. That invasive wood borer has been found in the area east of Cincinnati, Ohio. It likes to attack maple trees. There are eradication efforts underway which are showing some success in preventing the spread of this insect.
Here are some other videos about borers:
Emerald Ash Borer:
Peach Tree Borers: • Peach Tree Borers - Th...
Tree Holes and Borers: • Tree Holes and Borers ...
Why does my dogwood has small holes in the trunk: • Q&A - My dogwood has s...
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[@rcsatary1751]

I killed off the borer in my young peach tree. Used a fine wire to follow their borer holes and got the larvae out, then sprayed it with neem oil.. kept the dirt dug down around the stump area and let the hot sun treat it day after day for most of a month...just watered around the tree and careful to not get moisture close in. When it looked like they were gone I gave it a good drink there after. It produced the nicest peaches after the treatment was over. I checked this spring and saw sap running again but not as much as last year...repeated the process on a lesser time frame and I got the last of the borer. Its all dried up and looking healthy.

[@mishkamo55]

Great description! I've had success doing exactly that in my transitional organic orchard in southern BC, near Washington border. Frass of the peach tree borer at the base of the peach tree was the telltale sign.

[@risistor318]

Even for a non US viewer, this was an interesting presentation on what ecological pests you have.

[@michaelvigh926]

Excellent presentation. Your work is greatly appreciated!

[@FamilyPlotGarden]

Thanks!

[@lg2354]

Is it possible you can make a video of how to treat damaged trees? I figured my peach trees had bags, I wish I could save my trees !

[@beachgirl9234]

Thank you for the explanation Very well done

[@FamilyPlotGarden]

Thanks. Glad we were able to convey the information.

[@chrischism6203]

Very informative, glad you are proactively dealing with these issues. We have our own problems down here in Florida .

[@judithwiesemeyer759]

How big do tree beers get, I had big white inch round and up to 5 inches long.

[@NMW80]

I have translucent small mites on my avocado seedlings and they are boring small holes into the seeds themselves. The avocado tree branches look like they have tunnels and lines and lots of damage to the green branches and trunks. I can’t find any info on mites that tunnel into the bark and cause lines and damage to the green wood on avocado trees. Also the holes from these pests are not just on my avo trees. They have also infected my olive and apple tree and now looks like they are in my fig tree. These look like a type of mite similar to the 2 spotted spider mite aka avocado mite. Does anyone else have these mites and are they also making tunnels and hole damage to their fruit trees?

[@YSLRD]

A county agent told me my stand of about 15 trees was hopelessly infected with borers ( over the phone) 22 years ago. He recommended I cut them all down. A mulberry and and a small box elder died. A bad storm uprooted a tupelo. The others are all still alive and doing ok.

[@NMW80]

How did you treat them?

[@matheujew]

ive lost 7 trees so far from these things. mostly stone fruits

[@candysibley1066]

I pretty sure all the trees in my neighborhood are infested with some type of borer. I haven't identified the type but the are all dying, whole beaches just falling off . What can I do? Who should I contact?

[@FamilyPlotGarden]

A certified arborist can probably identify what is going on.

[@cherryly1532]

@@FamilyPlotGardenDo you have a phone number so we can contact ?

[@hogscattle7877]

Does someone invent these species of beetles in a lab or something? Wow! They sure do damage.

[@jimmydcricket5893]

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