The woodpeckers are really beating up on this little red oak. You can see a scar in the first photo; this is from a wound that occurred several years ago which opened the tree to wood boring/eating insects. The insect activity has attracted woodpeckers, who are enjoying a smorgasbord.
The homeowner could probably stop the damage by wrapping the stem, but rot and wood boring insects will continue to work on the tree, and it is standing next to a house. Compromised stems are best avoided when a high value target is within striking distance. If this was next to my house, I would cut it off a couple of inches off the ground. The stump will send up several sprouts, and after another year or two I would cut all but the strongest sprout. A straight, sound tree will be the result.
The woodpeckers are really beating up on this little red oak. You can see a scar in the first photo; this is from a wound that occurred several years ago which opened the tree to wood boring/eating insects. The insect activity has attracted woodpeckers, who are enjoying a smorgasbord.
The homeowner could probably stop the damage by wrapping the stem, but rot and wood boring insects will continue to work on the tree, and it is standing next to a house. Compromised stems are best avoided when a high value target is within striking distance. If this was next to my house, I would cut it off a couple of inches off the ground. The stump will send up several sprouts, and after another year or two I would cut all but the strongest sprout. A straight, sound tree will be the result.
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