European Hornet Damage?

[Basswood]

Curious if you guys will agree this is European Hornet damage and if there’s any viable treatments. It’s on a holly, the client lost the top of one from girdling and the others show damage not as significant.

 

[Basswood]

I’m actually second guessing and thinking now sap sucker damage?

 

[Tom Dunlap]

I don't know a thing about hornet damage. It looks like sap sucker to me.

 

[JD3000]

Very symmetric, I vote sapsuckers

 

[MA Arborist]

I’ve seen the E. Hornet damage lilac and dogwood stems but not on holly. Also it looked different than the damage on your holly.
Like the others have said, I’m going with sap sucker.

 

[oldoakman]

My vote is sapsucker as well.

 

[evo]

Damn birds...