I noticed a couple of days ago that this tree was yellow, but it's going downhill fast. I came home tonight and my neighbor was watering it. We started looking more closely, and tiny ants were going in and out of a crack in the bark. She pried it open a little bit with a screwdriver, and the wood inside was really soft.
Here's where we opened up the bark:
Well I have no idea, but can tell you it doesn't sound good- soft wood is never good! Like you didn't already know that! Sorry.
wow, doesn't look good. may I suggest you post on the tree and shrub forum also.
I got pulled away before I could finish posting ... these are crawling all over the tree, too.
not good at all, call a tree service ASAP - with soft wood like that it could fall over from the looks of it on your cars... if you can find one here that is an arborist too they might be able to save it and treat it but once they are that far there is never much you can do.
Less blurry picture
I hate to say things like this, but lose the tree.
Not sure as to the id for the critter/insect.
The tree really is not in a good location. and soft wood that far down the trunk means serious damage.
Exterminating the pests and cutting away the damaged wood then trying to save the now overly shocked tree is far more laborous for you and your neighbor. Also as the tree grows and spreads it roots, you will eventually be paying for driveway repairs. All in all, I hate to see an tree, shrub, plant, ect. go away but if it costs more than its worth then it has to go.
calvin
The insect is a longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) - their larvae are wood-borers, so it is not a good sign. I'd agree with MitchF and Calvin, the tree is very probably dying, so should be removed.
Here is a link to a great bug site. http://bugguide.net/node/view/171
Had the tree been injured to allow a pest like this to invade? That is the issue we had with Pine borer beetles. Healthy trees had little issue.. but trees with injuries, pruning, accidental limbs cracking off were susceptible to invasion.
good luck
I'd also suggest looking at other trees in your yard/neighborhood. This may be a local infestation of your specific tree, or it could be bigger that the neighborhood or city may need to be notified.
Even if it does not go beyond this tree, you want to get rid of it in such a fashion as not to spread these damaging insects. Call the city's park dept. - they may have a forester that can tell you how.
