Cindy,
I recently purchased a home and have a maple tree in the front yard. I noticed the other day that the truck is full of holes (maybe a wood pecker) and maple was oozing out of it. I have already lost a small pine tree over the winter (don't know why but termites were found in the wood nearby) and have been told by neighbors that carpenter ants and termites are bad in the area. All the research I have done tells me that carpenter ants and termites feast on dead wood only. Could they be in the tree and the wood pecker is trying to get to them? If this is possible, how do I treat the tree ? Finally, where the small pine tree was located- should I treat that soil prior to planting another tree there and what time of year is the best for planting a small cone shaped pine tree?

Thanks,
Lisa

[quote:7c5607a5c0="lmoore"]Cindy,
I recently purchased a home and have a maple tree in the front yard. I noticed the other day that the truck is full of holes (maybe a wood pecker) and maple was oozing out of it. I have already lost a small pine tree over the winter (don't know why but termites were found in the wood nearby) and have been told by neighbors that carpenter ants and termites are bad in the area. All the research I have done tells me that carpenter ants and termites feast on dead wood only. Could they be in the tree and the wood pecker is trying to get to them? If this is possible, how do I treat the tree ? Finally, where the small pine tree was located- should I treat that soil prior to planting another tree there and what time of year is the best for planting a small cone shaped pine tree?

Thanks,
Lisa[/quote:7c5607a5c0]

Lisa,
It sounds like you have a myriad of issues, none of which is all that bad. I wouldn't worry about treating around the pine, it may have succumbed to natural white pine decline.

White pines are susceptible to a number of disease and insect pests. Various fungi will cause wilt, rust and needle cast diseases; borers, aphids, sawflies, spittle bugs, pine shoot and pitch moths, weevils, microscopic nematodes, webworms and scale can all be problematic and to top it off, they are susceptible to air pollution. With this impressive list of pests, you�d wonder how a white pine ever survives in our area!

In addition to all these potential pest problems, white pines are susceptible to a condition referred to as �White Pine Decline�. Declining trees will have lighter colored needles than healthy pines, they will have stunted growth, branches may appear shriveled, and needles may be limp.

There are several factors that contribute to the decline of pine trees. The soil conditions play an important role; soils with high pH and high clay content will tend to contribute to Decline. White pine decline appears in areas where trees have been subjected to mechanical injury to root systems by construction, where soils are compacted and where root growth area is restricted.

The best way to control White Pine Decline is through prevention. Only plant white pines where soil conditions are appropriate, i.e. where pH is low, where soils are loamy, and where the tree will have adequate root space. Avoid soil compaction and root injury, and after planting, maintain adequate water, use mulch, and monitor and control insect pests.

Once decline begins, there is really nothing that can be done to effectively stop it. The inevitable can be postponed by taking these measures: adjust soil pH by treating with sulfur, aerate clay soils by vertical mulching, fertilize in fall, and water appropriately.

I get lots of calls from people who are finding neat little rows of � holes in the trunks of their trees. Sometimes, especially in pines and maples, sap will ooze from the holes. In the most severe cases, portions of bark will peel off, and if the tree trunk is completely girdled, secondary infestations by opportunistic organisms and will occur and death of the tree will result.

This damage is caused by a type of bird commonly known as a sapsucker. Sapsuckers are members of the woodpecker family, and they feed on tree bark and sap. The yellow-bellied sapsucker is common through out most of the U.S. They will peck into many trees in their territory before they find one that has lots of sap with high sugar content. Usually when these guys find a tree they like, they will they visit it time and time again and year after year.

Sapsucker damage is difficult to control; you can wrap damaged areas with burlap or hardware cloth to prevent the birds from getting access to the trunk. Keep the tree well watered and healthy to help it resist damage. Prevention is usually the best cure.

yellow bellied what? :lol: