Insect damage on my mature Gravenstein? - Ask Extension
I have a small fruit orchard in the Yamhill Valley at about 400 feet elevation. My 25-year-old Gravenstein and other apples had a bumper crop last yea...
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Insect damage on my mature Gravenstein? #926601
Asked March 23, 2026, 4:50 PM EDT
I have a small fruit orchard in the Yamhill Valley at about 400 feet elevation. My 25-year-old Gravenstein and other apples had a bumper crop last year. Now the Gravenstein has countless holes in the trunk all around the tree, although it's worst on the northeast side. See photos below. Most holes are 2 to 3 millimeters in diameter, with some as large as 5 millimeters. I also have found a few holes on my Fuji apple, my Italian prune and my Granny Smith apple.
What can I do?
Yamhill County Oregon
Expert Response
HI Marna,
The damage to your fruit trees looks like woodpecker or sapsucker damage. This PNW Pest Management Handbook article "Recognizing Sapsucker Damage on your Trees", gives more details.
This publication from Penn State University adds more information specifically for fruit trees. "Do Woodpeckers Damage Your Trees?"
You can wrap the trunk with netting or burlap to deter repeat visitors.
The damage to your fruit trees looks like woodpecker or sapsucker damage. This PNW Pest Management Handbook article "Recognizing Sapsucker Damage on your Trees", gives more details.
This publication from Penn State University adds more information specifically for fruit trees. "Do Woodpeckers Damage Your Trees?"
You can wrap the trunk with netting or burlap to deter repeat visitors.
