Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

I often struggle to figure out what to write every week in this newsletter, but it never fails that a question provides inspiration. This week, that inspiration came as a stick with an unusual pattern of holes. As you can see below, those holes were in perfect rows up and down the bark of the viburnum stick. Holes that are in a horizontal (most common) or vertical row are caused by the feeding of the yellow-bellied sapsucker. This woodpecker makes shallow holes and then feeds on the sap released from the wounds or on insects attracted to the site. Typically, we don’t see the culprit, just the damage left behind. This bird will feed upon 250 different tree or shrub species. The branch I was given this week was from a leatherleaf viburnum shrub the bird had chosen to feed upon. This bird often attacks other trees, including apples, maples, and Bradford pear, but any tree species is a potential target. Surprisingly, certain trees may become favorites to the exclusion of nearby trees of the same species. Damage to mature, established trees is usually slight and temporary, though small trees may be girdled and killed. These birds are migratory and are typically present from October to April in Kansas. Treatment options include treating the trunk with a product called Tanglefoot or wrapping the area with a fine mesh or burlap to keep the birds away. These birds are protected and cannot be killed. At this point in the year, nothing needs to be done till this fall.

 

Have questions? Contact our office where our Horticulture Extension Agent will assist you with questions.

Phone: (316) 321-9660

Email: callae@ksu.edu