[Evans, Marv]

Hugh - Is it the Goldspotted Oak Borer? That's what we have to deal with down here in S.D. County. They were supposedly introduced via imported firewood from Mexico and are causing a huge problem. I only have 2.5 acres and only have about 18 oaks large enough to be infested. The local beetle control program cut down three infected trees on my property two years ago, cut them into firewood rounds, covered them w/ plastic & said to leave them for a year. So after that, I did what research I could to gain whatever preventive measures were known at the time - which wasn't much. Your class may give you more updated info, but here is basically what I know (which isn't much) and what I did. First, infected trees will have very small pinholes in the bark where the larvae exit. You can identify infected trees this way. Infected trees will start with limbs drying & dying off at the very tops of the trees. The beetles will only attack large, mature trees. - trees maybe no more than 12 in. diameter won't be affected. For the other large trees I found with the pinholes in the bark, I bought 2 oz. bottles of Merit 75 WP(75% Imidacloprid - $34). Look Imidacloprid up. It can cause problems for bees, but most likely not when used for oaks like I did. I did a "basal injection" around the trees (maybe 6 in. from the base) I wanted to treat. Took my half in. drill with an auger(2/2&1/2 in.) and drilled about 6 holes around the bases maybe 8 in. to a foot deep. Put a table spoon or more powder in each hole (careful to stay upwind - read up about it) & filled them w/ water. Came back for a couple of days & refilled the holes, then left them alone. My trees are fine so far w/ no signs of dying branch tips. I may retreat sometime in the future if need be. Sorry for the length. Email me if you have ??.