Question
QUESTION: Hi Jim,

I live in South Florida and have two dwarf coconut trees in the back of the house, about 15 feet from each other.  Sometime ago I noticed that only one of them had a series of holes, about 1/4 inch in diameter, all around the trunk.  These holes where made in sequence sets, horizontally around the trunk and are roughly 1/4 inch between each other.  There must be about 25 sequences. Most of the holes are obviously old, but the ones at the end of each sequence are fairly new, implying that whatever is making them continues doing so in a sequence.  These holes are about 1/3 inch in depth, and many show tree sap.  The other palm is not affected.  Any idea of what could this be?
ANSWER: These are made by a woodpecker called a sapsucker. The bird makes the holes and causes the tree to exude sap --insects come to the sap and the sapsucker returns to eat the insects. These holes cause little damage to the overall health of the tree.

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QUESTION: Thanks Jim.  Any chance that these holes could be done by carpenter ants?

Answer
No Carpenter ants nest in soft wood not in the bark of living trees. Sometimes they are in the rotten center of hollow trees but they do not bore throungh the bark. Carpenter ants nest in moist wood including rotting trees, tree roots, tree stumps, and logs or boards lying on or buried in the ground. They can also nest in moist or decayed wood inside buildings. Wood decay may be caused by exposure to leaks, condensation, or poor air circulation. Nests have been found behind bathroom tiles; around tubs, sinks, showers, and dishwashers; under roofing, in attic beams, and under subfloor insulation; and in hollow spaces such as doors, curtain rods, and wall voids. Carpenter ants may also nest in foam insulation.