Question
Hi Jim,
 Our church in Berwick, PA, planted Cleveland Select Pear Trees two years ago. A recent windstorm damaged one of the trees. Upon review of the remaining stump, it appears that there has been damaged caused by a boring insect or worm. This insect has now appeared on another tree. What type of insect/worm could this be and how do we prevent any further damage. The wind sheared off the tree evenly. No splitting of bark. There is a ring around the inside where the insect ate the wood and certainly weakened the stability of the tree. Thank you.


Answer
Sounds like one of the borers that will enter a tree trunk where there has been a wound of some type. I would spray the trunk with an insecticide called onyx or Merit. These insecticides will kill the insect in the bark and woody area and stop any further damage from the burrowing of the borers. Check with your local nursery for these insecticides.