Sorbus tree damage

may it's scolytus rugulosus

Scolytus rugulosa (Shothole Borer) makes neat circular holes. These are cross shaped and not very deep.

But thanks for the reply.

Baffled Parky. The Whitebeam is not really bothered by pests much apart from occasional aphids and blister mite neither of which would attack the trunk, and certainly not like this -LoL. Could it be woodpeckers? Again I don't know. As you will no doubt know they peck holes to get at grubs but I have never seen any like this. There aren't any kids in the area that like practicing bow and arrow are there? Do keep us informed.

John.

It looks as though this tree is dying.
I think if you lift part of the damaged bark there is a dead patch on the tree. The whole of the Cambrian layer has gone.

they look like either old wounds or its happening from the inside out.doctor bob mite be right but there would be an underlying problem to kill such a young tree.you havnt got a black panther near you have ya they pick certain trees lol

As you in The US not sure what type of wildlife in your area - do you have animals with claws capable of climbing trees ?

I am in Scotland and the only wild life in my garden are: Roe Deer, foxes, hedgehogs, stoats and weasels plus numerous birds including Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers.

The tree is well away from other people who might do damage to it.

The damage is well defined as cross or 4 pointed star shapes, is quite shallow but extensive. It goes all round the tree not just on the sunny sides. The tree seems otherwise to be healthy and vigorous.

Scotland? Your page gives you as USA. Maybe a little bit easier for someone (but not me) to diagnose. You're the tree expert BB.

the black panther bit was just a bit of humer sorry about that.if the tree is doing well dont worry about it

Sawfly??

Oo h thank you Sarraceniac but no expert others here far more qualified .Your profile shows US flag Parky so sorry barking up wrong tree.

My understanding is that sawfly ( larvae ) attack fruit and leaves as you state borers tend to leave round flight holes - got me stumped.Looks too uniform to be disease surely an animal doing this ?

I am wondering about this. I am very suspicious of a tree disease/peat that leaves very shallow crosses on the bark.

This disease /pest does not exist. Especially one that attacks one tree out of 20+. We need more info.

John

Can you explore this Parky.
Put a knife in the largest hole and lift off a piece of the bark. If it is still green it is being attacked by an insect or animal , if it is dead continue taking off bark to see if the whole tree is dying, this will be root damage.
Must solve this, so we can all sleep tonight. Lol.

Many thanks to all - sorry my profile is wrong but for some reason I cannot change the country, keep getting pop-up saying needs to be debugged and won't let me go further.

Will dig in to tree and report.

Had another report by our gardener today of the same problem at another Whitebeam a few miles away.

I have now dug through, around and under the damage.

There is a green layer below the damage but evidence of a brown spot below three of the damage marks which I cut. I have observed that the damage starts at about 18 inches above the ground and there are the tell tale cross marks up to about 10 feet above ground on all the limbs. ALL the marks are with a vertical cut and horizontal bar as seen in the photo, none are at an angle.

At a point about 7 feet above ground on one limb only there is a 'track' of 14 small holes spaced about 1/2 inch apart moving almost horizontally across the limb - I will trty to get a photo.

Any ideas?

Parky, I don't know about anyone else, but after all your hard work it seems you are no nearer a solution.
Really puzzling. I think you need someone to look at this who is a real expert. Whenever we had problems with trees we couldn't solve we sent samples to either Merrist Wood or Wisley. Wisley used to diagnose for free but then started charging. You may have someone nearer to you who may do this.
The phone number for Merrist Wood is 1483884040.
It might be worth a try to see if they still do this or can advise you.
Good luck, keep us informed.

'There is a green layer'. It is that which worries me. Not because it shows disease but because it doesn't. 'The dog didn't bark in the night'. I think DrBob is right. This can't be solved from afar. I have my suspicions, but they involve people not diseases or insects, especially if there is another 'infected' tree a few miles away. I would tend to leave it for now. Just watch carefully and see if there is any worsening. If there is do what DrBob says. I suspect that there won't be.

John.

could be frost damage

NP. Frost damage? There are 20 trees there. One is showing the symptoms? Are you taking the pee again? We haven't heard back. I still think it is tree vandalism. By sub-humans.

John.

Parky I understand it's a seedling among the other 25 trees, the best cure I can suggest is to cut it down and use as yule logs. LOL.

not realy as its younger than the rest it just mite have grown differently.theres lots of reasens for a tree not to grow the same as the one next to it. i would sway towards vandels if they were vandal hight.they were awfully tall or had very long arms and a strange blade .i guess if your botherd you will have to get an expert in.id be inclined to leave it if it generaly seams ok and keep an eye on it.

Heres a shot in the dark - Pine marten ? They use trees frequently and can just imagine one clawing at that branch
if woodpecker also visiting might account for star shapes .

Is anyone that sad they would inflict this elaborate damage on one tree ? Cant believe humans would do this.

Agree with NP as this doesnt sound like disease.