Georgia is home to at least eight types of woodpeckers, including red-headed woodpeckers, downy woodpeckers, and hairy woodpeckers. If you ever see or, better yet, hear them pecking away at the trees outside your home, you might need to reach out to Georgia Tree Company, one of the top tree services in Milton, GA, to address the small and sometimes large holes they tend to leave behind.
“Woodpeckers” is also just one of the many answers to the question, “What causes large holes in tree trunks?” A handful of other factors could also result in these holes.
Learn more about several common causes of large holes in tree trunks in Milton below.
Wood-Boring Insects
A woodpecker doesn’t damage a tree for no good reason. Instead, it often does it in an attempt to eat the wood-boring insects inside.
These wood-boring insects might also be why you’re left to wonder, “What causes large holes in tree trunks?” These insects are known to work their way into trees to eat and lay eggs. They typically damage them in the process, leaving tiny holes that can eventually become much larger ones.
Here are just some of the wood-boring insects found in Georgia:
- Dogwood borers
- Lilac borers
- Peachtree borers
If you don’t do anything to eradicate them, wood-boring insects might go as far as to make a tree hollow.
Fungal Infections
If you ever spot cankers on tree trunks or decay and rot in a tree, these are usually clear-cut signs that it is being affected by a fungal infection. Trees in Milton, GA, and other parts of Georgia are routinely subjected to fungal infections like:
- Anthracnose
- Fusiform rust
- Botrytis blight
- Oak wilt
- Verticillium wilt
If you’re asking, “What causes large holes in tree trunks?” a fungal infection could be the answer. Look for other signs of these infections, including discolored leaves and branch dieback.
Improper Pruning
Even if you don’t realize it, you could ultimately be to blame for the large holes that have emerged in tree trunks on your property. If you decided to prune trees on your own rather than relying on a professional tree service, you may have done it improperly and caused holes to form.
This often happens when large branches are pruned too close to tree trunks. In this case, wounds will form and decompose inward, eventually leaving holes in their wake.
Consider bringing an expert on board to prune your trees so this doesn’t ever occur.
Let Us Evaluate the Large Holes in Your Tree Trunks in Milton, GA
These are just a few answers to the question, “What causes large holes in tree trunks in Milton, GA?” You might also find that an animal will damage tree bark or that a natural event, such as a lightning strike, might cause a physical injury to a tree trunk.
Whatever the case, address the issue by contacting Georgia Tree Company for assistance. We can also help you with understanding the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) that our local arborists have, making them fully qualified to inspect a damaged tree and determine its risk.
Call us at 404-990-0010 today!