Birch borer or leaf miner in W. WA?

[southsoundtree]

I have to look at some jaquemonti birch trees on Thursday. Planted 2 years ago, possibly larger specimens from the nursery, so a considerable investment in their 13 trees.

Wondering if there are issues with these bugs in western WA.

Also, the trees are being attacked by woodpeckers. In doing research, I found out that sapsuckers are actually a type of woodpecker. I thought that they looked like wood peckers (insect eating wood peckers) but were not actual woodpeckers, as they are sap eaters.

They also have ants. I don't know if they are carpenter ants, or some other type of ant. Is it correct that carpenter ants eat the wood, and that some other ants maybe after the sap. Kinda the chicken and the egg in a way, and I will have to figure it out. If they are carpenter ants, then it seems that they are Maybe what brought in the insectivore woodpeckers, whereas if the ants are after the sap, they might have come in after the ants. Maybe some combo of both.

Any insights/ experiences would help me in my research. I know that I will know a lot more after getting the pictures. Do wood peckers drill the same pattern of holes as sapsuckers, or is there a distinctly different pattern that will give me some clues before going.

Further, I have read about some tips for discouraging the birds from flying into the trees, and some ideas about getting rid of their nesting trees (cavities in snags, possibly other sites???). Anybody have ideas on more or less effective strategies that I can suggest to the customer?

Thanks,

Sean

 

[The_Archdruid]

I'm no ornithologist, but I think the birds are the same; either way, I'd like to choke out that goddamned Woody Woodpecker the next time I see him. Each bird is responsible for the death of ~2 medium sized trees each year. They are migratory and like to frequent the same trees for some reason. Blast away with a shotgun, but be a good citizen and use bird shot . . . save the slugs and buckshot for the perps coming through your window at night.