Peak summer heat does more than stress a tree's canopy. It weakens the tree's natural defenses, and that is exactly when bark beetles and other boring insects take advantage. A healthy tree can usually push out enough sap to trap and expel these pests. A heat-stressed tree often cannot keep up.
Signs of an active infestation include small round exit holes in the bark, fine sawdust-like material called frass collecting at the base of the trunk, and sections of canopy that thin or brown faster than the rest of the tree. By the time these signs are obvious, the infestation is usually already well established.
Hardwoods that have dealt with drought stress in recent seasons are especially vulnerable right now. Catching an infestation early gives an arborist more options for treatment or containment before it spreads to neighboring trees.
Have you noticed small holes, sawdust, or thinning patches on any hardwoods on your Metro Atlanta property this summer?
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Close-up photo of bark beetle exit holes, frass, or a hardwood showing early canopy thinning, ideally from a recent job assessment. Authentic photos of real symptoms are strongly preferred over stock images.
Canva text suggestion: "Bark Beetles Target Stressed Trees" or "Catch Insect Damage Before It Spreads"