Sawdust???

[Rick_Seebeck]

One of my mature maples has a small hole near the bottom and there is a pile of sawdust around the hole. Do I have a bug issue and how do I fix it?

[Justin Turco]

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

maybe this is your pest. If this link isn't something you can click on, then type in "maple borer" into the "search" area of this website you'll see an old post that I did a few months ago.

If this is your pest you will eventually see the a spiral scar that winds its way up the tree going straight up in places.

Not sure what to tell you to do...



The asian long horn beetle is another one to be concerned about. If you think that this critter is in your woods you may want to let someone at the state level know. (Note: there is another common variety of the long horn beetle that likes pine.) I don't think this variety is a problem for sugar maples.

[tuckermtn]

Rick-

most states have a forestry health specialist who would jump at the chance to check out what your describe...it your comfortable with someone from the state visiting your land, I would do it ASAP...start with your county co-operative extension folks...

[Homestead Maple]

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Invasion-of-the-Longhorns.html

[red maples]

I f my memory serves me and usually doesn't, but the ALHB usually goes into the tree closer to the top of the tree in the smaller part of the trunk. which you may not see from the ground. they lay their eggs in the trunk and the larva feeds off the tree the when they get close to the bark they borrow out through a tiny hole. useually if you have an infestation problem there can be as many as 50 -100 holes in a relatively small section of the tree. there are other threads on this subject with lots of pictures and articles.

another pest is the ash borer. I think it is a greenish like color. I don't know too much about them, but I do believe it is a maple pest as well.

but check with local coop to see what they recomend because I think the way to get rid of these things is to cut the tree and discard it.(burn it)

Pine sawyer is the bug you are thinking of usually attacks dead or weak white pine trees even pine logs I have lots of them darn things. They are very active at dusk in the summer months. I have a large pile of 5 foot long white pine logs and you can here them chewing inside the logs. creepy!!! they are no threat to maples. just pines

[michelle32]

Heres a number you can call to talk with the pros 866-702-9938.
Keith