Borers pick on a variety of popular trees

by Laura Monteros

 

Wistaria are vulnerable to the shot hole borer.

Some trees, such as citrus, are unsuccessfully attacked by the shot hole borer and some are successful in fighting the pest; others are reproductive hosts that can die from infestations.  The beetles don’t seem to like the cold, so trees in areas where it regularly gets to 22 degrees are protected.

 

“I have yet to see a willow that has escaped this pest,” McDonough said, and Berry added that Wistaria is especially susceptible.  Here’s a list of the most commonly infested reproductive hosts:

• Box elder
• Castor bean
• Avocado
• English oak
• Coast live oak
• Sycamore
• Persimmon
• California bay laurel
• Mimosa
• Goldenrain
• White alder
• Big leaf maple
• Olive
• Wistaria
• Liquid amber