That’s not. Is that tree damage from woodpeckers or borer insects? Affected trees … I have written about birds called Sapsuckers, primarily Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers.I have received several questions this year regarding the damage that these members of the wood pecker family inflicts upon trees (There are over 250 species of trees that they will feed on during the year) and what can be done to stop the attacks. These aptly named birds drum on and drill holes in trees and large shrubs as they search for insects, set up territories, prepare nesting sites, and call to mates. Trees with sweet-tasting sap are the most likely targets. The good news is that they tend to target trees that are dead or have a lot of decay in them. The most common types of trees to sustain woodpecker damage include pine trees, spruce, birch, fruit trees, and sweet gums. The tree wounds may attract insects, squirrels, or porcupines and can serve as entrances for diseases and wood decaying organisms. Woodpeckers, primarily sapsuckers, occasionally damage trees by boring a series of 1/4- to 3/8-inch closely spaced holes in the limbs or trunks of healthy trees. To identify woodpecker damage on trees, search for lines of closely spaced holes on trunks and branches. Due to the health of the tree being at risk, it is very important to stop the woodpecker damage before it kills your valuable trees. Tree removal: Remove large trees or prune branches near the house or wherever the birds are pecking, so they will feel exposed and vulnerable.This can encourage the birds to stay in thicker cover rather than pecking on the house. Many homeowners question whether woodpeckers cause life-threatening damage to the trees they drill. Pileated woodpeckers and yellow-shafted flickers are also common. Woodpeckers choose trees for no particular reason, but tree species with softer bark or high sugar content in their sap are favored. Discouraging Feeding Sapsucker Woodpecker's. Trees with softer wood are a woodpecker’s preferred dining place, but if any tree contains wood borers or bark lice insects, they’ll drill into it in search of a tasty meal. https://www.squirrelsatthefeeder.com/are-woodpeckers-bad-for-trees Characteristic woodpecker damage often looks like a series of small, deep holes in a horizontal or vertical line. This is rare, and most damage should not be a concern. Alternatively, there may be larger nesting holes. Pileated woodpeckers are large birds that can do a significant amount of damage to trees. They feed on sap oozed from the holes. Some trees are repeatedly chosen over and over each year due to habit and migratory patterns. Whether the holes are dry or wet and bleeding, the pest in this case is one of the borer insects. Replanting other bird-friendly landscaping, such as flowerbeds and shrubs, can make the yard just as attractive to other birds without encouraging woodpecker activity. 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