What Will Eat the Bark Off Hemlock Trees?

Identification

• Beetles damage hemlock tree bark. The small, cylindrical and hard-bodied pests are dark red, brown or black colored. The head is concealed by the body and has clubbed antennae. The larvae are cream-colored grubs with brown heads.

Damage

• The insects feed on the inner bark of branches and trunk and create tunnels. The waste or frass created by the insects falls on the ground or collects in tree crevices. Infested trees display holes in the bark. Sap often secretes from these holes. Poorly growing, weak trees are more prone to infestation.

Control

• Keeping trees in good health is among the best preventative measures against pests. In case of heavy damage to trunk, remove the entire tree. Destroy affected wood by chipping or burning to destroy pests. Avoid storing pruned infested wood close to live trees.