Question
Hi Jim, I read your diagnosis of tree pruner/tree girdler regarding the oak tree dropping leaf clusters all over the place. My VERY old twin oak is doing the same and it looks like tree pruner. Is this going to mean the demise of the tree? Cleaning up the fallen clusters is one thing, but what will happen next spring? Can I save my prize tree? Thank you so much for your expertise.

Answer
The eggs and larvae are in the fallen twigs and branches. Gathering then fallen branches and burning or destroying them will kill the next generation of beetles and the damage will be greatly reduced or you may not see any damage the next year. These insect will not kill the tree but if there is a high population they may reduce the growth of the branches. Your tree should be ok if you remove the fallen branches from the site.