Question
Hi:
I have several Weeping Willow trees and I have noticed small holes around the trunks? Are the trees sick or is it insects or birds? Will this damage or kill the trees?

Answer
These are caused by a woodpecker called a sap sucker. The bird makes the holes on the bark and sap flows out --this attracts insects and the bird comes back to eat the insects. It usually does not harm the tree.

To discourage sapsuckers from feeding on shade trees, wrap hardware cloth or burlap around the trunk or smear a sticky repellent material, such as bird tanglefoot, on the bark. Or you might try spraying an insecticide on the wounds this will kill the insects and discourage the birds from using that tree. Any insecticide for borers should do the trick. Check with your local nursery/garden type store for the insecticide or tanglefoot.