Holes in my oak tree

[GHRoberts]

I have a red oak, 12" dbh, in my yard. About 6" above the ground there are 2 1/4" holes into the tree. No waste on the ground. A little sap leakage.

None of my other oaks (red or otherwise) have this problem.

What do I have to do to discover the source of the holes?

[Stephen_Wiley]

Sorry, I would need more information and opportunity to examine the tree.
E.G.;
How deep are the holes?
Are they symmetrical?
Is there bark loss near the holes?
What are the conditions of the scaffold roots?
Is there any other appearances of trunk girdling, bark disruption, on remainder of the bole?

You will  most likely need to hire a qualified Arborist/Forester with pathology experience to diagnose the causal agent. 

Possibilities range from tree vole to fungal or bacteria infection.
 

[Ron Scott]

Are the holes 2 1/4" deep or is that the diameter? and are they close together?? A photo would help  :P

[Phorester]

I suspect he means 2 holes, each 1/4" diameter.  Shows how you really need to think about how to write messages here.  My way of talking might not be understood by other people reading the message.

To get to the question, I'd first suspect oak borer.  But could be something else. As Stephen says, lots more infomation is needed.  In addition to what Stephen asked for, where are you?  Which State, and what part of the State?

[Furby]

Yeah, ever since that post was made, I've been waiting to hear what would make 2 & 1/4" holes. :  :D :D :D

[populus]

I was wondering myself. 2-1/4" holes would be very dramatic. On the other hand -  2 holes of 1/4", why worry?   

[Jeff]

Couldn't any holes that ooze sap be of possible concern in the long term health of a landscape tree?

[chet]

Being as these are red oak I would be concerned with the susceptibility of the open wounds to oak wilt disease.

[Texas Ranger]

Or, somebody shot at a squirril twice with a .22.

[sprucebunny]

Now THIS is a hole !!!   But it's not an oak......

[populus]

Jeff is right:  in general we want to avoid any wounds in landscape trees. It seems to me that two small holes are not a serious problem if they are superficial. Granted, oak wilt susceptibility could be a problem in some areas (GHRoberts is in Oklahoma, where oak wilt is a problem).  Other than a wound caused by a person, the most likely cause of holes that size is emergence of a longhorned beetle. This could be a serious problem and the tree should be watched.   Try sticking a wire into the hole - does it follow a track or path into the wood?  Or is it a superficial wound?  If there is a track into the wood, you probably have a longhorned beetle problem, and you should get an arborist to look at the tree. It would be fairly uncommon for a longhorned beetle to strike only once, and you may get some more emergence this summer.  Stephen is right - if you value this tree, you should get some professional advise.

Can you post a photo?

[OneWithWood]

2 1/4 inch holes are not rare in my neck of the woods.  I have what was a decent looking cherry tree with holes that size and bigger.  It seems one of the local pileated woodpeckers discovered that particular tree was home to insects it wanted for dinner.

[populus]

Pileateds can do an amazing job on a tree. I saw a pileated completely tear two basswoods apart in the space of a week. The trees were still standing but were surrounded by a mountain of sawdust and wood chunks. I don't know what he was after, but he was certainly dedicated.  But pileateds usually work much higher on the stem than the holes that GHRoberts described and the holes are usually square or oblong.

[Ron Scott]

2 1/4 inches is about the exact depth of a screw in tree step. They're screwed in, then screwed out and leave no debris or sawdust. We find such holes in quality trees quite regularly especially after the recent hunting seasons. 6" is a little low though and there should be more up the tree. ;)

Any lead in the holes??  :P

[SwampDonkey]

I have to chase the pileates away from a large diameter sugar maple on the lawn. There is some rot at the base that they like to chip at.  I just saw another one at some poplar stubs not far away. They can have the poplars. ;D

[GHRoberts]

Thanks for the assistance.

There are 2 round holes 1/4" diameter by 2" deep.  A 3/16" allen wrench goes in 1", a zip tie goes in 2".

No sawdust. The hole is dry except for some brown/black stuff that stuck on the end of the zip tie.

I think I will get some professional advice.

[populus]

If you could get in 2" with a wire, I think you most likely have cerambycid (longhorned) beetles. Let us know what you find out on professional inspection!