Not birds - but advice appreciated

[Denis Wilson <>]

Hi Charmian

It is a grub, a "borer", but not a furniture borer - a large one.

Quite likely a Longicorn Beetle has laid an egg on the bark, and the grub has entered. 
http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_longicorns/index.html

More to point, it has also left.

You could try adding grafting mastic, to try to protect sap flow in the cambium layer, but I suspect the damage has occurred already.
Consider amputation of the damaged limb - of the tree.

Difficult to protect future attacks, but you need to look for smaller holes covered by "frass" - the chewed up bark and insect poo.
That's the sign of entry.
Scrape it away, and stick a soft wire inside to assess how deep the hole is, and maybe to "spear" the grub.
Some people pour insecticide in the hole (squirt it in with a spray bottle).

There is little point in spraying the entire tree, as you poison the outside, but not the inside part of the tree where no sap flows.

Best of luck with it.

Cheers
Denis Wilson

On Fri, Jun 10, 2011 at 1:55 PM, Charmian Lawson <> wrote:

Hi

 

I know this isn't bird related (at least I don't think it is) but perhaps somebody in COG land can tell me what has caused this damage to one of our Acers and what should be done about it.  I would really appreciate it.

 

Thank you

 

Charmian Lawson

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-- 
Denis Wilson
"The Nature of Robertson"
www.peonyden.blogspot.com