Garden Sage—Damaged palo verde tree.

Woodpeckers are likely damaging this palo verde tree while looking for insects.

Q: I am getting some strange damage on my palo verde tree bark. Do you have any idea what could be causing this damage?

A: Woodpeckers are likely damaging your tree. These birds seek insects to eat that may be on the bark or just under the surface. In some cases, pecking holes in the bark causes sap to flow and attracts insects for the birds to eat later. Because federal law protects most birds, the management of bird damage is limited to exclusion, frightening/repelling, and distraction. Exclusion can be accomplished with hardware cloth or other screens over the area to be protected. Frightening can involve sound or shiny materials that cause the birds to avoid the area. Distraction can be accomplished by providing another food source such as a suet feeder nearby that is more attractive than the tree.

Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed to tucsongardensage@gmail.com


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