Native woodpecker or sapsucker on Jun 21, 2016
Originally reported as Spruce Bark Beetle (Ips typographus)
Submitter does not have a specimen
Description of specimen
OUR TREE IS DYING FAST. WE NOTICE SMALL ROUND HOLES AROUND THE TRUNK OF THE TREE. THE HOLES WILL OOZE PITCH. FROM WHAT I HAVE LEARNED ON THE INTERNET WE BELIEVE IT IS BARK BEETLE. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF IT'S TOO LATE FOR THE TREE OR CAN IT BE SAVED. WE ARE NOT SURE OF THE TYPE OF TREE IT IS BUT SOME KIND OF SPRUCE. WE HAVE TWO TREES AFFFECTED BY THEM. ATTACHING PHOTOS
You are outside my jurisdiction but your images show sapsucker or woodpecker (native birds) holes; these holes are not the cause of the tree decline but rather a symptom. Your tree is unhealthy, is being attacked by insects (likely after some other cause of decline) and the birds are opportunistically feeding on the insect grubs (the birds are actually helping the tree). Many things could be causing your tree decline (irrigation issues, herbicides, disease, etc.) but you would likely have to hire an arborist to find out. Most bark beetles are very small and the Ips species you mention would be highly unlikely.
Dominic Maze
June 23, 2016, 7:52 a.m.