Question

#1  

#2   Last year, Japanese hornets started eating the bark on my over 15 year old white lilac tree.  This year, several branches are dead and the leaves on the surviving branches are turning brown in spots.  The hornets are still after it.  It has been a dry summer here in VA, but that is the norm here.  Are the hornets killing it?  What is happening to it?  I'm attaching pictures.  Thank you for your help!

Answer
Nancy:

My entomologist colleague tells me that the Japanese hornet has not been reported in the US.  You may wish to confirm the ID with your local Agricultural Extension office.  Hornets and wasps do not eat living wood.  They may consume dead wood to make a home or nest from.  If your tree is dying, I suspect some underlying cause with the hornets/wasps being after the fact.

Regards
Steve