A Bore Hole in Late November

[Hop Kiln Road]

Just found this hole in a 12" dbh maple. I can stick a wire straight in 6 inches. A little unsettling.1209612097

[markcasper]

Is this a joke?? I'm not sure whats going on here. You just came across this random hole? Did someone drill it or insect? Was it a hunter that had something to do with this? A little confused, or were you thinking something along the lines of ALB? Or with the sap running in November a little unsettling? Need more info.

[WESTMAPLES]

first thing that came to mind when i saw bruce`s pics was the ALB, but its hard to say when you poked the wire in did it make or feel a crunch ??? like there was a bug in the end of the hole i would wonder what it was if i saw it to good thinking on posting a pic

[Hop Kiln Road]

I believe the ALB holes are exit holes. The maple bore, and there are some in my bush, go in under the bark and girdle a portion of the tree. This bore hole goes straight to the center of the tree. And the tree looks healthy. I'll find an expert to look at it and let you know. Man it was quite a shock when that wire went right in.

[madmapler]

I'd have been pretty concerned seeing that! Looking at the map, its pretty much a straight shot from Worcester to Bow. Please keep us posted. Is it possible that it could have been drilled?

[Dennis H.]

Get a flashlight and have a look inside if possible. See what is at the end of the tunnel.
Doesn't it seem odd that it goes in so deep, I thought ALB only goes in just below the bark.

[unc23win]

Is it possible it is a muzzleloader wound either black powder or inline? 50 caliber is 1/2 in diameter and they don't break up like rifle bullets. To me it really looks like one its been a while since I shot a tree with one, but depending on the distance of the shot and the health of the tree 6 inches of penetration is possible.

[BreezyHill]

Common size for a muzzle loader is 50 cal. which is 1/2" Muzzle loaders usually leave a more jagged hole but a jacketed round would leave a more smooth hole. Judging on the tape measure you are looking at a full jacketed 270 or 30-06, possible a 243 but they tend to leave an oblong hole due to their grain weight will allow an end over rotaion on hitting a semi solid surface. Too large of a hole for a 223. but the hole is perfect for their weight to powder ratio. 223 will punch a hole like that thru 3/8" steel plate of a dueling tree, while a 270 will only dimple the plate, and a muzzle loader with 150 grains of powder will leave no mark.

The hole looks to be cut/bored with no jagged edges so not a bullet or projectile.

any sawdust at the base of the tree? possible a hunter was looking to predrill holes for climbing pegs for a tree stand...

[sugaringman85]

I highly doubt its ALB. Looks like someone did some fall tapping. ALB is a "D" shaped hole in the crown of the tree and never goes in 6". Looks like some kid got excited with a drill bit and had some fun. I wouldn't worry about the insects. Worry about the people!

[markcasper]

Yes but it could be some kind of new unidentified insect! You never knew what ALB was at one time either, and still there are many who don't know what you are talking about when bring up ALB.

[bstewar]

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) exit holes are 'D' shaped. ALB holes are perfectly round and about the size of a pencil eraser or a bit bigger..but going in six inches is strange.

[SeanD]

Size and shape are consistent with ALB, but I think that's it. As said, 6" seems too deep. Something else that seems strange is that any insect would be emerging from an exit hole this time of year. The other odd thing is that there is only one. Look around for the orangish egg depressions in the surface of the bark nearby.

It's best to get someone from the DAR to look at it. Last summer, I had a scare with some nasty larvae in some firewood and they came right out to collect a sample. They tested the DNA quickly and ruled out ALB in a couple of days.

Good luck,
Sean

[Hop Kiln Road]

Had a prompt visit from the USDA APHIS, a biologist and an entomologist. First, it ain't a gunshot hole nor a drill hole. It is a recent insect borer hole. Other than that they were quite uptight and guarded and expressed no opinions, not even to entrance or exit. I'll reserve my comments on their visit for now. However, in my opinion, it is an entrance hole, more oval than round and just slightly small for an ALB exit hole. There is no other evidence of insect activity on the tree or other nearby maples other than some maple borer damage several trees away. The depth of the hole is puzzling as is the timing.

[BreezyHill]

Bruce, Venting is part of the trader ya know...:)

never met a DR or techy that liked not having all the answers.

Seems like you stumped them to me. Keep us posted with any info.

Good Luck!

Ben

[DrTimPerkins]

...never met a DR or techy that liked not having all the answers. Seems like you stumped them to me.

We are never truly stumped. We just sometimes have very lengthy thinking periods. :D

[tcross]

I noticed a few trees in my bush that have similar holes! bout the size of a nickel and between 4-6" deep! shove a stick in there and some black residue is on the end. I found 4-5 trees like this and stopped looking! the trees seem to be in good health, 10-14" dia and nice crowns! a little unsettling... hopefully they're healthy enough to survive the attack!

[Bucket Head]

Any news from the inspectors on the hole? Any more news at all on this?

Steve

[tcross]

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I contacted my county forester about the holes in my trees. after looking at the pictures and sending them to another county forester, they determined that it was definitely a sugar maple borer that was causing the damage to my trees. in the pictures I'm holding a quarter.

[WESTMAPLES]

did anyone happen to comment on if it was normal to see bore holes in such great numbers in close area to eachother??? like if its bad or a every 5 years kinda thing

[bees1st]

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_mapleborer/mapleborer.htm#life

[tcross]

what my county forester had to say was... The sugar maple borer is very common and he has seen them in more sugar bushes he visits then not! not necessarily throughout the entire bush, but in patches throughout it. They bore into suppressed trees, so if you have a crowded or immature sugar bush you'll likely see them.

[Hop Kiln Road]

I think it is an end of the 1st year Maple Borer hole, where it goes in deeper to over winter. It is oval and not round.


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[DrTimPerkins]

I think it is an end of the 1st year Maple Borer hole, where it goes in deeper to over winter. It is oval and not round.

You might also notice that there are very fine wood shavings (much smaller than a drill bit makes) below the hole, often mixed with very small brown excretia (yup....bug poop). This is called "frass". Good indication that it is insect activity and not a drill hole.