Live Oak Sapsucker Damage and Harmless Galls

Live Oak A 7-year-old live oak has rows of small holes around limbs. Neighbor says borers; owner used Dragnet.

Sapsucker Woodpecker, Not Borers

Horizontal hole rows = yellow-bellied sapsucker. Birds drill for sap, then eat insects attracted to it. Damage is cosmetic; tree won't die.

Deterrence

• Wrap trunk/limbs with hardware cloth or burlap.
• Apply sticky repellent (Bird Tanglefoot) to bark.

Hull Follow-up: Round growths on twigs.

Insect Galls—Harmless

Gall wasps lay eggs; tree forms protective tissue. No treatment needed. Populations fluctuate yearly.