Can my mesquite tree be saved by borers that are attacking it?

Season T
by Season T
It's oozing sap and the barks are separating from the tree itself.
  5 answers
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Apr 29, 2012
    I am completely outside my comfort zone, Season, because we don't have mesquite trees on the east coast, but how have you determined that borers are causing the problem? Were there previous signs that the tree was stressed or damaged?
  • Cyndia M Cyndia M on Apr 29, 2012
    Cathy Bishof (owner of Mesquite Valley Growers) was consulted. She said the tree isn't getting enough water and that a 50 foot soaker needed to be put around the tree for 4-5 hours. She also said that Mesquies need organtic fertilizer. Who knew? Its a desert tree and yet, it can't survive naturally. Apparantly, if Mesquites aren't watered and fed, they suffer from "sun-scorching" which causes the bark to peel and strip away - then the bugs move in. Don't prune or fertilize the tree until it looks better.
  • Sharon H Sharon H on Apr 29, 2012
    I hope you can save this tree! Having grown up in West Texas, I know and appreciate the value of trees!
  • Season T Season T on Apr 29, 2012
    Thanks for all the help and suggestions. @Douglas-The tree just keep having saps oozing out all over. It just does not look like a healthy tree, like the ones I've seen around. I know mesquite barks peel a little, but when a whole chunk separated from the trunk with the saps oozing like crazy, something is not right with it. @Cyndia-Thanks for the tip. I'll try what Cathy Bishof said. Unfortunately about the pruning, we kind of did some already. I guess we better stop. I thought cutting off the dead branches near the bottom will help. @Sharon-Me too. I'm a treehugger and I really hope it can be saved.
  • Paul M Paul M on Apr 30, 2012
    Cyndi Mesquite trees survived long before anyone ever came along and did anything with them. How can you say that they can't survive naturally? I don't believe that is an accurate statement.