Question

pic 1   Hi Jim;

Thank you for your reply.  After researching some more, I think it looks more like black lichens (close up on 2nd pic ?you can see the eartworm and rolly pollies live there).  Or Is it something more serious?
I am thinking to drill a hole into the tree to see if it抯 rotten inside.  We took out some of the bark pieces and it抯 dry and the trunk underneath is solid no sign of termites, etc.
Thank you for helping me with this.  It抯 a beautiful and otherwise very healthy tree.  I hate to have to cut it down.

Thank you,

Maria

Answer
Looks like borer damage. The tree tries to drown the insect by exuding sap. Spray the are with an insecticide called Merit or Onyx. These will penetrate the bark and kill the insect under the bark. Check with your local garden type store for these insecticides.