Borer Infestation in Holly: Bark Stripping, Pruning, and Insecticide Treatment

Borer Infestation in Holly: Bark Stripping, Pruning, and Insecticide Treatment

Dragon Lady holly: bark stripping (not holes) causing slow decline. Not woodpeckers (no holes).

Diagnosis: Borers

• Borers cause oozing holes, cankers, bark sloughing, limb dieback.
• Bark stripping = larvae feeding under bark.
• Woodpeckers peck to eat borers—holes are from them, not primary damage.

Treatment

1. Prune off all limbs with stripped bark (they will die).
2. Remove loose bark (hides borers).
3. Spray borer-specific insecticide (e.g., Fertilome Borer, Bagworm, Leafminer spray).

Outlook

If caught early, tree can recover. If main trunk is girdled, replacement is needed.