Q: I have a Mexican Avocado tree, which I planted 2 years ago. The tree has small holes drilled in neat columns approximately 1-2 inches apart and each row contains about 8-9 holes. The tree does not seem to have suffered from this, buy I wondered what might have caused the holes.

A: Thank you for sending the photographs which helped me identify the possible culprit. The symmetry is the best clue which indicates a woodpecker, more specifically the yellow-bellied sapsucker. The bird is hunting for insects. They have a unique ability to hear the insect inside the tree. However, they have been known to hammer away on telephone posts and the eaves of homes. The damage is often minimal and control should be directed at the insect and probably not the bird.If your tree has a borer then it may be under some stress.

In addition, the avocado is really a tree that belongs south of our area. If it is in a protected area it may survive but if we have a true cold snap, this tree may succumb to the cold. One more important note – it is unlawful to harm or capture these birds without a federal and state permit.

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