On Mon, 11 Nov 2002 08:44:47 -0600, "Gary Harper"
wrote:

I write a about a week ago about my Bradford Pear losing bark. I took a
closer look and there are several holes under the loose bark. The holes are
about 1/8" in diamater. I bought some kind of pesticide oil from Home Depot
that I can spray with a sprayer and water hose. I have no idea if this will
work but I'll give it a try.

If it's neem oil it can be used to fight borers. If it's dormant oil
it won't be of much use.

Look for fresh saw or gum deposits. Inject the neem oil as far into
the holes as possible, preferably with a catheter syringe (check at
medical supply stores). Cut away any gum deposits to get at the hole
underneath. You also can also try piercing the borers with a long
piece of wire. Repeat in a week, and again in the spring.

Also, should I do anything to the tree where the bark fell off to protect
the tree? Will the bark ever grow back or will my tree die next year?

There's nothing you can do to the wound itself. The tree should
partially cover the area with new growth, depending on how bad the
wound is. Probably the best thing you can do to support it is follow
Howard Garrett's sick tree treatment
http://www.dirtdoctor.com/article.asp?ID=1025

If it were me though, I'd be making plans to replace the tree. Borer
damage makes a tree even more susceptible to other stresses like
drought and high wind, even if it survives short-term.