Woodpecker Problem - Ask Extension
I have a woodpecker that insists on going after one tree in my yard. This has been going on for a couple of years now. I have looked the tree over ...
Knowledgebase
Woodpecker Problem #925150
Asked February 27, 2026, 12:35 PM EST
I have a woodpecker that insists on going after one tree in my yard. This has been going on for a couple of years now. I have looked the tree over carefully and can't find any evidence of things like the emerald ash borer. I read your publication EM 9160 and none of the signs you described are visible. This bird has completely riddled the tree with holes up and down primarily the trunk and the trunk has gotten blacker in color. Otherwise the tree seems healthy in terms of growth and full leaf out. Is there anything I can do to protect the tree?
Clackamas County Oregon
Expert Response
Hello there,
I have viewed the multiple posts you've made, including all the helpful photos. I have asked for our question wrangler to have a forester or plant pathologist reply to one those posts with the multiple views of the tree and the close-ups of the bark. I am a wildlife biologist, and can offer expertise on the holes and the bird (sapsucker) causing those, but the blackening and other signs sound like something far outside my expertise - thus the team approach!
So, sapsuckers https://myodfw.com/wildlife-viewing/species/red-breasted-sapsucker drill holes to literally tap the sap, but also to help attract insects (to the sap) so the bird can return and eat the nutritious insects, too. Sapsuckers are known to have "favorite" trees, and that appears to be the case for your tree, unfortunately. The most effective management is to simply keep the bird from being able to touch the tree and start drilling. To prevent further taps, you can wrap the tree's trunk and branches (if they're also being targeted) with either burlap or 1/4" hardware cloth. There can be a concern however, that moisture and accumulating conditions under burlap could lead to new problems for the tree, but likewise, hardware cloth brings a potential heat concern. Particularly because of the discoloration, etc., I would definitely check with the forester or plant pathologist about whether this individual tree is a good candidate for those types of exclusion/prevention wraps, and if so - which option would be best.
I hope this tidbit helps, and that we can get you connected with a forester or plant pathologist asap.
I have viewed the multiple posts you've made, including all the helpful photos. I have asked for our question wrangler to have a forester or plant pathologist reply to one those posts with the multiple views of the tree and the close-ups of the bark. I am a wildlife biologist, and can offer expertise on the holes and the bird (sapsucker) causing those, but the blackening and other signs sound like something far outside my expertise - thus the team approach!
So, sapsuckers https://myodfw.com/wildlife-viewing/species/red-breasted-sapsucker drill holes to literally tap the sap, but also to help attract insects (to the sap) so the bird can return and eat the nutritious insects, too. Sapsuckers are known to have "favorite" trees, and that appears to be the case for your tree, unfortunately. The most effective management is to simply keep the bird from being able to touch the tree and start drilling. To prevent further taps, you can wrap the tree's trunk and branches (if they're also being targeted) with either burlap or 1/4" hardware cloth. There can be a concern however, that moisture and accumulating conditions under burlap could lead to new problems for the tree, but likewise, hardware cloth brings a potential heat concern. Particularly because of the discoloration, etc., I would definitely check with the forester or plant pathologist about whether this individual tree is a good candidate for those types of exclusion/prevention wraps, and if so - which option would be best.
I hope this tidbit helps, and that we can get you connected with a forester or plant pathologist asap.
