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Do Woodpeckers Systematically Destroy Bradford Pears?
Hi Folks,
While doing yardwork yesterday, I happened to notice a strange pattern on the trunk of the large Bradford Pear tree we have in our front yard. This tree is about 12 years old, less than a foot through at the thickest part. Anyway, what I noticed was that there were literally thousands of holes through the bark of the tree, evenly spaced in circles all the way around the trunk. They start at ankle height and go higher than my head, where the lowest branches start. They're about the size of a pencil eraser and go in maybe twice as deep. It looked as if there wasn't even a square inch without this pattern of holes in it over the entire main trunk. The tree doesn't appear to be sick otherwise. It blooms completely every year - in fact it's in bloom right now. Up until the big ice storm in December it hadn't lost any branches, other than the low ones I've trimmed. During the ice storm it lost a few large branches from higher up, but it still looks full and healthy. I'm not sure the damage was done by a woodpecker because I haven't seen it happening, but the regular pattern makes me think that's what it is. It's taken less than a year because I look at this tree fairly often, and this is the first I've noticed it. When I was clearing away the broken branches in December I didn't see them. I'm wondering if the tree is likely to die from all this damage, and if anyone can confirm that there are neurotic, single-track minded woodpeckers that do this! Thanks, -dreq |
#3
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Do Woodpeckers Systematically Destroy Bradford Pears?
derek it is the sap sucker bird who is making the holes
The wood peckers may be going in afterwards to eat the bugs going in afterwards Yes the holes attract insects that will also bore into the tree - if there are no insects the tree will not die directly from the holes. Later Tomatolord "Derek Mark Edding" wrote in message ... Hi Folks, While doing yardwork yesterday, I happened to notice a strange pattern on the trunk of the large Bradford Pear tree we have in our front yard. This tree is about 12 years old, less than a foot through at the thickest part. Anyway, what I noticed was that there were literally thousands of holes through the bark of the tree, evenly spaced in circles all the way around the trunk. They start at ankle height and go higher than my head, where the lowest branches start. They're about the size of a pencil eraser and go in maybe twice as deep. It looked as if there wasn't even a square inch without this pattern of holes in it over the entire main trunk. The tree doesn't appear to be sick otherwise. It blooms completely every year - in fact it's in bloom right now. Up until the big ice storm in December it hadn't lost any branches, other than the low ones I've trimmed. During the ice storm it lost a few large branches from higher up, but it still looks full and healthy. I'm not sure the damage was done by a woodpecker because I haven't seen it happening, but the regular pattern makes me think that's what it is. It's taken less than a year because I look at this tree fairly often, and this is the first I've noticed it. When I was clearing away the broken branches in December I didn't see them. I'm wondering if the tree is likely to die from all this damage, and if anyone can confirm that there are neurotic, single-track minded woodpeckers that do this! Thanks, -dreq |
#4
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Do Woodpeckers Systematically Destroy Bradford Pears?
Tom Gauldin wrote:
From what we saw after the ice storm, your Bradford Pear must be one of the few surviving ones in the Triangle. grin Oh, believe me, there are plenty more still around all in full bloom. I love spring! |
#5
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Do Woodpeckers Systematically Destroy Bradford Pears?
In article nk.net,
Beth Peace wrote: Tom Gauldin wrote: From what we saw after the ice storm, your Bradford Pear must be one of the few surviving ones in the Triangle. grin Oh, believe me, there are plenty more still around all in full bloom. I love spring! flame/ You might as well hang up dead fish outside with the nasty smell that Bradfords produce. Why bother planting these trees when you could have much hardier and reliable native trees? /flame Cheers KJ (yeah yeah, pretty looking, but godDAMN that smell) -- --- "One more drink, and I'll be belligerent!" -- Isaiah, accepting another drink, Mardi Gras 2003 http://www.ibiblio.org/kelly -=*= kelly @ unc.edu |
#6
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Do Woodpeckers Systematically Destroy Bradford Pears?
I thought of Bradford Pears as one of the prettiest landscape trees for
their color, density and symmetry. When blooming, they're even prettier. Sadly, it gets too hot out her in Las Vegas for them, even when watered well. I never noticed any odor coming from our Bradfords. I know that one of the real "stinkers" is the Hawthorne, which also has white blooms. I'd put the Hawthorne up there toward the top of foul smelling plants, but only when blooming. For anyone wishing to experience the smell of a Hawthorne, drop by the News and Observer's downtown plant in mid Spring and smell the ones planted out by the street. -- Tom Gauldin, Las Vegas NV NEW EMAIL NEW PHONE (702) 263-8804 voice/fax "Beth Peace" wrote in message thlink.net... Tom Gauldin wrote: From what we saw after the ice storm, your Bradford Pear must be one of the few surviving ones in the Triangle. grin Oh, believe me, there are plenty more still around all in full bloom. I love spring! |
#7
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Do Woodpeckers Systematically Destroy Bradford Pears?
Kelly Garner wrote:
You might as well hang up dead fish outside with the nasty smell that Bradfords produce. Why bother planting these trees when you could have much hardier and reliable native trees? I don't plant them, I just enjoy them. Let others clean up after the ice storms. But no, I've never noticed the smell either and we walk around our neighborhood daily. BTW, anyone know what shrub/tree has the ethereal grape smell? I get whiffs occasionally, but can never localize it. There are a couple of places on US1 near Crossroads and a couple spots in our neighborhood. |
#8
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Do Woodpeckers Systematically Destroy Bradford Pears?
On Mon, 24 Mar 2003 21:35:55 GMT, Beth Peace
wrote: Kelly Garner wrote: BTW, anyone know what shrub/tree has the ethereal grape smell? I get whiffs occasionally, but can never localize it. There are a couple of places on US1 near Crossroads and a couple spots in our neighborhood. Could it be kudzu? It has that "artificial grape" smell when blooming. Alex -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- |\ | ( \/ |\ |V| |\ -|- |) | \/ | | | |\ ( / /\ |V| |-||_ ( /\ |/ @| | |-| | |\ | /\ |^| | |/ ( .\ \/ | | |
#9
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Do Woodpeckers Systematically Destroy Bradford Pears?
Alex wrote:
Could it be kudzu? It has that "artificial grape" smell when blooming. I believe that's it! Someone else described it as grape Koolaide. |
#10
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Do Woodpeckers Systematically Destroy Bradford Pears?
Actually, I've seen both sapsuckers and woodpeckers do quite a job on
Bradford pears. Those Bradford pears were hugely popular for awhile, and many a nurseryman made a mint off those crummy trees. They are crummy because: They attract a lot of insects and bugs and are prone to disease and die-off.. They have very weak wood and often split apart under a good wind or stress, and they die quickly.. usually in less than 30 years. Of course, you can spray the heck out of them and keep the bugs away but if you were going to do that why not plant a tree that has fruit you can EAT? |
#11
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Do Woodpeckers Systematically Destroy Bradford Pears?
Derek,
The holes you describe were made by a sapsucker http://www.ancientforest.org/sapsucker.jpg Although sapsuckers are members of the woodpecker family, they feed on living trees, because it's the sap (and the insects it attracts) that is their target. To the best of my knowledge, sapsuckers don't usually kill the trees they're using -- after all, if the tree died, there would be no more sap! [in response to a subsequent post] Interestingly, when I walked near my blooming Bradford Pear yesterday, I would have sworn that it had a very subtle, pleasant odor -- although I had not noticed it in previous years. My tree survived the ice storm intact, surprisingly, so I did not need to worry about trimming it. It also seems to be popular with the birds in my yard, who *seemed* to be eating the buds, but were probably after insects & caterpillars in the tree. And, frankly, since the tree is a favored perch of the bluebirds nesting in the box next to it, there's no way I'd cut it down! Anne Lurie [somewhere east of Tom G. ] "Derek Mark Edding" wrote in message ... Hi Folks, While doing yardwork yesterday, I happened to notice a strange pattern on the trunk of the large Bradford Pear tree we have in our front yard. This tree is about 12 years old, less than a foot through at the thickest part. Anyway, what I noticed was that there were literally thousands of holes through the bark of the tree, evenly spaced in circles all the way around the trunk. They start at ankle height and go higher than my head, where the lowest branches start. They're about the size of a pencil eraser and go in maybe twice as deep. It looked as if there wasn't even a square inch without this pattern of holes in it over the entire main trunk. The tree doesn't appear to be sick otherwise. It blooms completely every year - in fact it's in bloom right now. Up until the big ice storm in December it hadn't lost any branches, other than the low ones I've trimmed. During the ice storm it lost a few large branches from higher up, but it still looks full and healthy. I'm not sure the damage was done by a woodpecker because I haven't seen it happening, but the regular pattern makes me think that's what it is. It's taken less than a year because I look at this tree fairly often, and this is the first I've noticed it. When I was clearing away the broken branches in December I didn't see them. I'm wondering if the tree is likely to die from all this damage, and if anyone can confirm that there are neurotic, single-track minded woodpeckers that do this! Thanks, -dreq |
#12
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Do Woodpeckers Systematically Destroy Bradford Pears?
Anne Lurie wrote:
Derek, The holes you describe were made by a sapsucker http://www.ancientforest.org/sapsucker.jpg Although sapsuckers are members of the woodpecker family, they feed on living trees, because it's the sap (and the insects it attracts) that is their target. To the best of my knowledge, sapsuckers don't usually kill the trees they're using -- after all, if the tree died, there would be no more sap! ... Not neccessarily. By the same logic, humans wouldn't usually kill the cows we use -- Susan Hogarth |
#13
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Do Woodpeckers Systematically Destroy Bradford Pears?
"Tomatolord" wrote in message ... | derek it is the sap sucker bird who is making the holes | | The wood peckers may be going in afterwards to eat the bugs going in | afterwards | | Yes the holes attract insects that will also bore into the tree - if there | are no insects the tree will not die directly from the holes. | | Later | Tomatolord Awwwwww darn it ya'll party poopers. I wanted to be the first to tell Dreq that it's the Yellow bellied sapsucker (Dreq, we just had a conversation about them here a month ago, that's why I jest) that makes those holes. From what I have heard here, cicadas make similar marks on trees, just not as many. I don't have Bradfords (tg) so I can't speak as to how they will hold up. The sapsuckers are on my holly trees. For the 3 years I've been here, I've seen no symptoms of stress. Jw |
#14
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Do Woodpeckers Systematically Destroy Bradford Pears?
Raleighgirl wrote:
... The sapsuckers are on my holly trees. For the 3 years I've been here, I've seen no symptoms of stress. Is it *possible* to stress hollies? They seem to thrive no mater what insults are delivered to them. -- Susan Hogarth |
#15
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Do Woodpeckers Systematically Destroy Bradford Pears?
Susan Hogarth wrote:
Is it *possible* to stress hollies? They seem to thrive no mater what insults are delivered to them. Our holly trees thrive in drought, freezes, blizzards, and came through two hurricanes unscathed. The genetic engineers ought to be looking at them if they want to create crops that survive anything. |
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