Something is eating my Rowan Tree!?

[kiedis]

Hi, I was just removing a tree support from my Rowan tree as it's been in for about 5 years and thought it was time, and I noticed that a large part of the truck (near the base) has been eaten, I'm assuming it's some sort of pest.

 

Is there anyone who knows what this is and how to get rid/prevent further damage? 

 

Also, can the tree recover from this sort of damage? 

 

Thanks in advance

Karl

[openspaceman]

2 hours ago, kiedis said:

Hi, I was just removing a tree support from my Rowan tree as it's been in for about 5 years and thought it was time, and I noticed that a large part of the truck (near the base) has been eaten, I'm assuming it's some sort of pest.

 

Is there anyone who knows what this is and how to get rid/prevent further damage? 

 

Also, can the tree recover from this sort of damage? 

 

Thanks in advance

Karl

Difficult to say without more context, was the initial bark damage from abrasion by a tree stake. The damage is a few years old and subsequent damage likely from insects living on necrotic tissue. the size of the gallery and exit hole suggests a larvae has bored its way out, maybe a goat moth.

[peds]

That sort of damage at an early age... tricky to imagine it winning that battle long-term. Leave it in and cross your fingers though, it's not a big problem to solve yet.

[kiedis]

I've never noticed the damage before, and I don't believe the stake would have caused damaged as it wasn't in contact with the tree except for a rubber brace about half a metre up from the damage.

 

Do you have any advice of how to treat the area?

[peds]

If the damage is ankle-height it's probably a strimmer injury. Nothing you can do really, try to minimise moisture availability and it could help slow down the rot, might deter some creepy crawlies.

 

How tall is the tree now, and is it close to anything valuable?