Question
Hole (1)
Recently, my water oak tree has developed two black holes that are about i inch across each that go deep into the trunk. There is sap leaking from these holes. What are these, how do I treat them, and how do I prevent further incidents. Please e-mail me with your answer and/or request for additional information at .
AnswerThese look like hole created by an insect called a borer. It will bore into the bark and the wood and the tree will seep sap from the hole. Spray the area on the bark with an insecticide called Merit. This insecticide is called a systemic and will be absorbed into the bark and wood killing the insect and the tree will heal over the wound. Check with your local nursery for Merit.
Also usually trees that are attacked by borers are under stress so I would recommend that you fertilize the tree with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb of fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and watered in good.
