Sapsucker Damage on a Young Tree: What to Do

The Damage

A newly noticed pattern of ½‑cm holes in horizontal rows on a 16‑inch‑diameter tree, starting 1.5 ft above ground.

Cause

Yellow‑bellied sapsucker—a woodpecker that drills sap wells. The holes are shallow, just through bark.

Management

• Birds are protected by law—lethal control is illegal.
• Deterrents (shiny tape, pie pans) work inconsistently.
• Best practice: keep the tree vigorous with proper watering and fertilization; healthy trees compartmentalize the wounds.

Long‑Term

Sapsuckers often return to the same tree yearly. Monitor for decay fungi entering the wounds, but most trees tolerate the damage well.