Gerald Filipski: Avoid woodpecker tree damage with these tips
Burlap wrap on trunk can repel aggressive birds
Over the past two summers woodpeckers have bored a bunch of holes in the trunk of our large mountain ash. Not all of the leaves fell off this year, and it is slowly budding out, but not fully. Is there anything we can do other than remove the tree?
There is very little you can do to control woodpeckers and sapsuckers. The most recommended procedure involves wrapping burlap around the trunks of the trees, but this may not be practical with a large tree. You can also put a sticky substance such as Tanglefoot on the trunk to deter the woodpeckers. Another idea is to place shiny Mylar balloons with owl faces on them in the tree, which can scare away unwanted feathered visitors.
The tree is showing signs of severe stress by not leafing out properly. If the damage is not curtailed, I’m afraid this may be its last season.
What are the star-shaped webs of white stuff on most of my wood chips? It almost looks like snow mould.
This sounds like a wooddecaying fungus. I would break up the fungus by using a clawed garden tool to move around the mulch itself. This will allow air to enter, which is usually enough to stop the fungal growth.
Last fall and again this spring we noticed several small holes on the trunks of our Swedish columnar aspen. The holes are approximately a quarterinch (half-centimetre) in diameter by three-quarters of an inch (two cm) deep and branch out in the tree. Also, there is a noticeable amount of sawdust at the base of the trees and sap is running down the trunks. What bugs might be causing these holes and how can we get rid of them? We certainly do not wish to lose these beautiful trees. A: The problem is likely caused by an insect whose common name is the poplar borer. They are difficult to deal with once they have burrowed into the tree, but there are some possible solutions. First, insert a wire into the hole and move it in and out, much like a plumber’s snake. If you’re patient, you will eventually reach the borer and spear him with the wire, ending his munching days forever. If that doesn’t work, try spraying Sevin, Ambush or beneficial nematodes into the holes.
You can also spray affected trees with Ambush or Doktor Doom House and Garden in early June and August. This will help to eliminate active adults prior to them laying eggs. For more information, have a look at Greenland Garden Centre’s website. Q: Something is chomping the new leaves on my tulips. It looks like a serrated cut, and whatever is doing this leaves the cut part of the leaves on the ground next to the plant. Some of the centres are eaten as well. Any idea what might be doing this damage? A: I think the culprits may be rabbits; they love to chomp away on tulip leaves. Try using a repellent like Ropel or Plantskyyd. They are both ready-touse, easy to apply and they work. The products do not harm the rabbits, but leave them with a very nasty taste in their mouths. It just might make them think twice about having a tulip snack in the future.