Question
I live in Sunny Valley, Oregon.  Last year I planted a weeping willow on our property and yesterday while I was outside I noticed a woodpecker on the trunk so I scared it off.  Upon inspection of the tree (trunk diameter is only 3 inches and tree is about 10-15 feet tall)I noticed holes around it and sap oozing out and down to the ground.  This must have been the first attack.  I don't want the tree to die and would like to keep the sapsucker from coming back.  I temporarily wrapped the trunk and put a tree guard over it.  I am sure this is not a good idea, but what can I do?

Answer
Sapsuckers will make the holes and the sap oozes out attracting insects the bird returns to eat the insects. Scaring the bird off will usually work but if you spray an insecticide on the area this will kill any insects and the bird will not come back. You can use almost any insecticide on the trunk--Raid ant killer will do the trick.

Wrapping the tree trunk can cause the heat to build up on the bark and is not a good idea.