Question
I am finding many holes in elm trees on our new property.  They seem to go straight in from anywhere on the bark ranging from the size of a pinhead up to 3/16" or so.  One tree seems to be dead - it was alive last year.  Also, we cut down several trees to make room for a house, and we find these same holes all the way through the wood although they are not as prevalent deep in the heart of the tree.  Can you tell me what is causing this damage and how I can get rid of them?  Also, is there any risk to our house as we have brought the cut wood in to burn in the fireplace?  I'm not sure what other information you need other than we live in north west Texas.  Thank you!

Answer
If these holes are in a line around the trunk they are caused by a wood pecker called a sap sucker. These birds make the holes and the tree puts out sap --insets come to feed on the sap and the birds return to eat the insects. They rarely cause death of the tree. If the tree is dying form other causes the birds will peck the bark looking for insects.
If the holes go into the wood then this could be an insect called borers. But they make individual hole through the bark not hole in a line.
If it is sap suckers I would spray the tree trunk with an insecticide maybe Sevin or Malathion this will kill any insects in the holes and the birds will not return since there will be no insects for them to eat.
If the hole are not in a line and go into the wood I would spray the trunk with an insecticide called Merit which will kill the borers in the trunk. Merit will work on the sap sucker hole insects but it is more expensive than Sevin or Malathion.

The wood can be burned in the fire place. Let it dry outside and the borer type insects will have gone before you bring it in. These insects will not attack any wood in the house. Elm wood is not easily split since the wood grain is crossed so any large pieces maybe harder to burn.