Japanese Holly bark - Ask Extension
Good morning,
While pruning my holly shrubs I noticed this odd pattern of holes on the bark. It seems to be limited to this one shrub. Would you ...
Knowledgebase
Japanese Holly bark #867177
Asked May 06, 2024, 8:25 AM EDT
Good morning,
While pruning my holly shrubs I noticed this odd pattern of holes on the bark. It seems to be limited to this one shrub. Would you please identify what it is/the cause and advise if there is action I should take to resolve it?
Thank you very much!
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
That is the work of one of our native woodpeckers, called a Sapsucker. They drill holes to feed on sap and they can be slowly enlarged over time as you are seeing.
There is nothing that you need to do. Some may say to wrap the trunk to try and protect it but that may just encourage the bird to move on to other trees in the vicinity.
You can see the bird and similar sap wells at this page from the Maryland Biodiversity Project website:
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/1152
Here is our page on woodpeckers:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/woodpecker-and-sapsucker-damage-trees/
Christine
There is nothing that you need to do. Some may say to wrap the trunk to try and protect it but that may just encourage the bird to move on to other trees in the vicinity.
You can see the bird and similar sap wells at this page from the Maryland Biodiversity Project website:
https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/1152
Here is our page on woodpeckers:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/woodpecker-and-sapsucker-damage-trees/
Christine
Thank you so much for your prompt response.
I would never have thought a woodpecker was responsible for that. I suppose that is a good thing and am glad to learn it isn’t something more serious.
I recognize that woodpecker. He frequents my bird feeder.
Mystery solved!
Thank you again.
You're welcome.
Native birds are wonderful to have around.
Thank you for making room for them.
Native birds are wonderful to have around.
Thank you for making room for them.
