Twig Girdler and Pruner Damage on Young Trees

Identifying the Culprits

Smooth, cupped branch ends and bark splitting with small brown disks suggest twig girdler or twig pruner beetles (long-horned borers).

Twig Girdler

• Adult chews around the twig in late summer/fall, lays eggs in the severed portion.
• Cut looks beaver-chewed (outside-in).

Twig Pruner

• Larva bores down the center, makes a spiral cut from inside out in late summer.
• Cut looks saw-like with a spiral pattern.

Control

Collect and destroy all fallen twigs (burn, shred, or bag). Insecticides are impractical. The bark splitting may be unrelated; consult an arborist if it worsens.