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spruce tree health #871918

Asked June 06, 2024, 2:50 PM EDT

I Have several large spruce trees around my home. lost one just the other to wind from a thunder shower (fortunately it missed the house). It was a mature tree but was weakened by a combination of ants and squirrels stashing spruce cones in its root system. Is there a way to "bore" the tree to see if ants are in some of my trees close to the house?

Fairbanks North Star County Alaska

Expert Response

Hi Mike,

If you suspect that your trees are infested with carpenter ants try looking for piles of "frass" (sawdust, dropping, other debris) around the base of the tree, holes in the trunk, or rotted/damaged wood that might provide a point of entry for the ants. Boring the tree isn't necessary. Here's a great article from Iowa State University Extension that has all the info I would share about dealing with carpenter ants in trees:
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2009/jun/060503.htm#:~:text=Carpenter%20ants%20nesting%20inside%20trees,the%20base%20of%20the%20tree.&text=Big%2C%20black%20ants%20always%20attract,trunk%20next%20to%20the%20house.
Feel free to contact us with any other questions!

Thanks,
Gooseberry Peter Replied June 07, 2024, 2:23 PM EDT
Interesting article, thank you  
Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 7, 2024, at 10:23 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied June 07, 2024, 4:37 PM EDT

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