>Date: Tue, 06 Jan 1998 10:43:55 -0800
>To: jfmm490 at gwgate.wadnr.gov
>From: "William H. Lawrence" <whl at Localaccess.com>
>Subject: Re: Holly trees (was sapsucker help)
>
>At 09:50 AM 1/6/98 -0800, you wrote:
>>John,
>>I've seen lots of live trees with sapsucker damage. I don't think drilling
>>will kill the trees. It may stress them, but holly seems pretty hardy.
>>Sapsuckers feed on phloem which they take out of the holes they drill
>>and the sap which accumulates there. They will also eat bugs which
>>are attracted to the sap. To some extent, they create their own food
>>resource. Does anyone know of other birds who do that?
>>
>---=------
>
>Re the repoduction of Holly (Ilex opaca). the species is dioecious
--separate male and female individual trees so all trees do not produce
berries. Also individuals growing under a closed canopy frequently do not
receive sufficient light to set fruit.
>
>Injuries like sapsucker holes and barkbeetle entery holes in conifers are
pitched over to close the injury point. Sapsuckers and hummingbirds have
adapted to feeding on the sap of hardwood trees. Also the holes are drilled
when sap flow is heaviest in spring prior to the onset of growth. I have
watched hummers and sapsuckers spar over feeding rights on alder trees. Bill
>