Any arborists on here? - Bark Beetles

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That close-up confirms what the first photo suggested — the tree’s inner wood is covered with tunneling patterns made by bark beetle larvae. These winding galleries are a clear sign of borer infestation.

Here’s what’s going on:

?? Bark beetles or similar wood-boring insects have eaten through the cambium layer, cutting off nutrient flow.

?? The bark sloughing and discoloration mean the tree’s vascular system is dead in that section.

?? The decay fungi that follow insect damage accelerate rot, weakening the trunk.

At this stage, the tree is functionally dead — even if some branches still have leaves, the structural integrity is gone. It’s unsafe to leave standing, especially near fences or property lines.

Next steps:

Contact a certified arborist to confirm the extent of decay and recommend removal.

If you want to identify the exact beetle species, you can peel a small section of bark and look for larvae or exit holes — I can show you how to identify bark beetle larvae if you’d like.

After removal, treat the area to prevent reinfestation in nearby trees.

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