Marianne's Response
Are these Strawberry trees infested and dying
My son, in Auburn, Washington, has three mature Strawberry trees in his backyard that he has noticed a Pileated Woodpecker pecking at the trunk. Some of the bark is loose and you can see the holes he’s making. I’m assuming the trees have insects that he can hear and he is pecking his way to them. The trees look healthy. Is there a way to protect the trunk from the woodpecker? Or are they trees dying and it’s a lost cause? You cannot see any insects on the trees.
Posted by Debbie Nighswonger on April 10, 2024
Marianne's Response
The strawberry tree or Arbutus Unedo is an easy to grow small tree or shrub that will most likely recover from the damage to the bark. The way the holes are lined up in a row suggests the woodpecker is indeed a Pileated woodpecker making holes to drink the sap that will flow not to get out insects. This is good news as it means the tree is not infested with wood boring larvae. The Pileated woodpecker is a protected species so please do not try to harm this bird. Instead wrap the trunk in wire mesh to discourage the pecking. The sap runs in the spring so if you do not like the look you can remove the mesh in the summer months. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti
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