How to treat wood borer in Japanese Maple tree?

[janeth]

How do I treat wood borer in otherwise healthy Japanese maple tree? I noticed a split at the fork of a branch when I touched it the branch fell off exposing the powdered wood fibres and holes.

 

[EricL]

Hello @janeth 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about borers. 

Borer infestations in trees, including Japanese maples, can cause significant damage if not addressed promptly. The common borers include Eucalyptus long horned borers, ambrosia beetles, and auger beetles, but there are quite a few more. To identify a borer problem, look for tiny exit holes in the bark, sawdust-like frass on the bark or around the base, and signs of branch dieback or stunted growth.

Start by pruning any branches that show severe damage and dispose of them far from the tree to avoid further spread. Please put them straight into the bin and don't mix in with your garden waste or compost. Improving the overall health of your tree is essential, as a healthy tree is more resistant to borers. Ensure that the tree is well-watered, especially during dry periods, and apply organic mulch around the base to retain moisture (while keeping it away from the trunk). You can also apply a balanced fertilizer to promote growth and resilience. If the infestation is getting quite severe, I suggest engaging the services of an arborist.

I also suggest having a quick look at this article - Borer Control in Your Garden. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[janeth]

Thanks for your advice. I had hoped to save the tree however after sawing off the branch it is

  

obvious that the damage has gone into the truck. I will take your advise about improving the surrounding soil now.

The undergrowth is quite lush but I'm wondering if this is making the issue worse.

 

[MitchellMc]

I don't believe the undergrowth has caused this is issue, @janeth.

You might like to enlist the services of a tree arborist, one who specialises in tree care. They are doctors for trees. They might be able to obtain chemicals strong enough to knock off the borer, and then they can assess the tree to see if any limbs can be saved.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[janeth]

Thanks for your advice