In article , "Eric Goldsmith"
writes:

If there is a more appropriate place to post this type of question, please
let me know.

I have a silver maple in my front yard which, I've recently noticed, has a
hole developing in the trunk at about chest level. Through the hole, you can
see into the center of the tree, which appears to be rotten wood.

We've been meaning to have someone take a look at it, when lo and behold,
some guy shows up at the front door today - apparently canvassing the
neighborhood to drum up business. I have no knowledge of this guy's
credentials or qualifications beyond a business card which claims he's a
"tree care specialist".

At any rate, while I'll likely get a real arborist to take a look, I'd like
input from the group on this guys 'diagnosis'. According to my wife, who
spoke with him, he claims the damage is caused by "wood boring ants".

A Google search for "wood boring ants silver maple" didn't yield anything
useful.

The term carpenter ant is more common. I am not sure if silver maples have
their own species. I've only seen carpenters in Cedar up in Oregon, but it is
possible.

Can you 'explore' the hole any? If they are ants just paying too much
attention to the hole should generate some defensive behavior. If you can see
more deeply into the tree and it looks rotten, it probably is. Some carpenters
use infected trees as colonies because the other bugs that the rot grows are
tasty. The Cedar variety used the tree only as a home, and base of activity.
There are likely Termite exterminators that would be helpful in diagnosis and
treatment in you county yellow pages.


David Giunti email: unity
What is the question? Gertrude Stein's last words
No one mouth is big enough to utter the whole thing. Alan Watts

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