Woodpecker Tree Damage?

4 for Boating · 12-04-2010, 02:13 PM

So we were up to the house last weekend doing some final clean up before the snow comes and I noticed on e of the trees close to the house had been attacked by what I think was a woodpecker. Bark was all over the ground and when I looked up I could see small holes up and down the tree. (Next time I go up I will take a picture)

Half of me is thinking “how nice to have a woodpecker” and the other half is thinking, will this tree become compromised if they take up full residence and/or allow an infestation.

Anyway, I understand from some reading that some birds are pecking to get bugs and others are attacking the actual tree. How to tell the difference if we don’t see the bird in question in the act to get a description. Anyone else have this going on that could shed some light?

Lakepilot · 12-04-2010, 06:05 PM

We had a pine tree that appeared to be healthy and within 2 months a very large pileated woodpecker had literally destroyed the tree. They are very pretty birds, but they can sure ruin a tree quick.

Merrymeeting · 12-05-2010, 10:28 AM

If a woodpecker has destroyed a tree, odds are it was already terminal anyway.

The woodpecker isn't poking holes in the tree for fun. He/she is going for food. A heavily "pecked" tree is usually a sign that it is full of carpenter ants or some other, woodpecker-tasty insect.

You might want to check for bugs elsewhere if it's near the house.

Formula260SS · 12-05-2010, 05:07 PM

I've had to take three trees this year that a Woodpecker had his way with, it's trying to get to the bugs inside the tree. My Tree guy (Courtney Kelly) told me the tree is on it's way out when the woodpeckers start on it.

tis · 12-06-2010, 08:01 AM

That's what I always thought- that they went after the dying trees. Thanks for verifying that.

SIKSUKR · 12-07-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

That's what I always thought- that they went after the dying trees. Thanks for verifying that.

They are not going after the dying trees, they are going after the bugs that have started killing a weakened tree. Be thankful they're not going after your house. The north side of my house was being attacked on my cedar siding for 2 years. I had numerous holes that stopped at the sheathing. I've since resided with vinyl and those peckers have moved on.

tis · 12-07-2010, 05:46 PM

Sorry, that's what I meant but not what I said. You are right, the bugs like the dead or dying trees and the woodpeckers like the bugs.

Loony Singer · 12-08-2010, 05:13 PM

We had a beautiful mature hemlock right outside our master bedroom. A couple or three pileateds decided there was something delicious right under the bark. They didn't really poke holes in the tree...just stripped every piece of bark for about 20 feet of the tree. Bang! Tree was dead within a year.

On the other hand, we did get some free hemlock bark mulch out of the deal.

NoBozo · 12-08-2010, 08:00 PM

OMG: Here we go. First it was the Canada Geese, Then the Ducks, (itchy) and now the Pileated Woodpeckers. I'm just short of Mortified..

Who's next...?? NB

SIKSUKR · 12-09-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoBozo

OMG: Here we go. First it was the Canada Geese, Then the Ducks, (itchy) and now the Pileated Woodpeckers. I'm just short of Mortified..

Who's next...?? NB

Don't forget about the current mice thread and those darn bears eating out of the bird feeders.

SteveA · 12-09-2010, 05:32 PM

... think the whole thing is funny.

KBoater · 12-11-2010, 09:09 PM

SIKSUKR did you forget the Fisher(Fisher Cat)

SAMIAM · 12-13-2010, 07:12 PM

When the woodpeckers arrive.......the grim reaper has already claimed your tree. Something like vultures.....they don't attack the living.....only the dead.

12-04-2010, 02:13 PM	#1
4 for Boating Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 210 Thanks: 1 Thanked 37 Times in 25 Posts	Woodpecker Tree Damage? So we were up to the house last weekend doing some final clean up before the snow comes and I noticed on e of the trees close to the house had been attacked by what I think was a woodpecker. Bark was all over the ground and when I looked up I could see small holes up and down the tree. (Next time I go up I will take a picture) Half of me is thinking “how nice to have a woodpecker” and the other half is thinking, will this tree become compromised if they take up full residence and/or allow an infestation. Anyway, I understand from some reading that some birds are pecking to get bugs and others are attacking the actual tree. How to tell the difference if we don’t see the bird in question in the act to get a description. Anyone else have this going on that could shed some light?

12-08-2010, 05:13 PM	#8
Loony Singer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 109 Thanks: 28 Thanked 16 Times in 11 Posts	yup We had a beautiful mature hemlock right outside our master bedroom. A couple or three pileateds decided there was something delicious right under the bark. They didn't really poke holes in the tree...just stripped every piece of bark for about 20 feet of the tree. Bang! Tree was dead within a year. On the other hand, we did get some free hemlock bark mulch out of the deal.

12-09-2010, 05:32 PM	#11
SteveA Deceased Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 2,311 Thanks: 1,070 Thanked 2,054 Times in 497 Posts	And those pesky woodpeckers... ... think the whole thing is funny. __________________ "Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry he'll be a mile away and barefoot!" unknown

12-11-2010, 09:09 PM	#12
KBoater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wolfeboro Posts: 521 Thanks: 10 Thanked 29 Times in 15 Posts	SIKSUKR did you forget the Fisher(Fisher Cat) __________________ Home Permanently in NH

12-04-2010, 06:05 PM	#2
Lakepilot Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 446 Thanks: 70 Thanked 57 Times in 40 Posts	We had a pine tree that appeared to be healthy and within 2 months a very large pileated woodpecker had literally destroyed the tree. They are very pretty birds, but they can sure ruin a tree quick.

12-05-2010, 10:28 AM	#3
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,217 Thanks: 299 Thanked 795 Times in 365 Posts	If a woodpecker has destroyed a tree, odds are it was already terminal anyway. The woodpecker isn't poking holes in the tree for fun. He/she is going for food. A heavily "pecked" tree is usually a sign that it is full of carpenter ants or some other, woodpecker-tasty insect. You might want to check for bugs elsewhere if it's near the house.

The Following User Says Thank You to Merrymeeting For This Useful Post:
secondcurve (12-07-2010)

12-05-2010, 05:07 PM	#4
Formula260SS Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NH Posts: 384 Thanks: 11 Thanked 76 Times in 51 Posts	I've had to take three trees this year that a Woodpecker had his way with, it's trying to get to the bugs inside the tree. My Tree guy (Courtney Kelly) told me the tree is on it's way out when the woodpeckers start on it.

12-06-2010, 08:01 AM	#5
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,410 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,381 Times in 957 Posts	That's what I always thought- that they went after the dying trees. Thanks for verifying that.

12-07-2010, 05:46 PM	#7
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,410 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,381 Times in 957 Posts	Sorry, that's what I meant but not what I said. You are right, the bugs like the dead or dying trees and the woodpeckers like the bugs.

12-08-2010, 08:00 PM	#9
NoBozo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Portsmouth. RI Posts: 2,231 Thanks: 400 Thanked 460 Times in 308 Posts	OMG: Here we go. First it was the Canada Geese, Then the Ducks, (itchy) and now the Pileated Woodpeckers. I'm just short of Mortified.. Who's next...?? NB

The Following User Says Thank You to KBoater For This Useful Post:
SIKSUKR (12-13-2010)

12-13-2010, 07:12 PM	#13
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,836 Thanks: 326 Thanked 1,626 Times in 562 Posts	When the woodpeckers arrive.......the grim reaper has already claimed your tree. Something like vultures.....they don't attack the living.....only the dead.