How to Know If Your Trees Have a Termite Infestation

Are termites hiding in your trees? These tiny pests often cause major problems when left unchecked for too long.

As the go-to arborist services in Harper, TX, we at Rockoff Tree Solutions can’t stress the importance of swift detection enough. Learn more about the common signs of termites in a tree and stay prepared.

Do Termites Target Trees?

When most people think of termites, they picture damaged walls, hollowed-out floors, and costly repairs to their properties. Unfortunately, these wood-destroying pests don’t confine their appetite to just houses. They love trees, too.

Here are some common termite varieties and how they may interact with your living landscape.

Subterranean Termites

These sneaky insects are among the most destructive termite species. As their name suggests, they live in underground colonies and create mud tubes to travel aboveground and hunt for food. That’s why we often find them feeding on the roots and lower trunks of trees.

Drywood Termites

Unlike their subterranean cousins, drywood termites don’t need soil to survive. While more typically found in homes with wood structures, they also infest dry, dead branches in trees. If you notice drywood termite activity in one of your arboreal specimens, it’s likely they also have colonies in nearby structures.

Dampwood Termites

Dampwood termites thrive in moist and decaying wood. This makes trees with water damage or sections of trunk decay particularly susceptible to infestation. The presence of these pests also signals a potential moisture problem on your property.

Signs of Termites in Trees and Wood Damage

If you want to know the warning signs of termites in a tree, watch out for the following.

Visible Mud Tubes

One of the clearest indicators of termite activity is the presence of mud tubes on the tree’s surface. These narrow, earthy tunnels, often running along the bark or exposed roots, serve as pathways for termites to travel while staying protected from predators and dehydration.

Hollow-Sounding Wood

Tree damage caused by termite infestations might hide in plain sight, but a simple test can reveal it. Use a sturdy tool or your hand to lightly tap on your specimen’s trunk. When parts of the wood sound hollow or feel weaker than they should, termites may have already burrowed inside and consumed the inner structure.

Piles of Frass

Frass, or termite droppings, looks like piles of small, wood-colored pellets. These tiny mounds, often accumulating near the base of the tree, are a sign of drywood termite presence. They push out the waste material while carving tunnels inside the wood.

Swarmers

One of the clearest signs of termites in a tree is insect activity. Have you noticed small flying insects and discarded wings around your property, particularly in warmer months? These are termite swarmers, or the reproductive members of the colony.

Damaged Bark

Early warning signs of termites in tree trunks include exposed patches or unusual changes in the bark’s surface texture. Termites are masters of stealth, but their feeding habits sometimes cause the tree’s bark to crack, blister, or even peel away.

An Ailing Tree

Late-stage termite activity will eventually disrupt the tree’s nutrient supply by destroying the inner wood or root systems. Don’t ignore unexplained dead branches or thinning of foliage. When these pests run out of food, they may spread to nearby plants or structures, causing further damage and necessitating costly repairs.

Dependable Tree Health Management Specialists in Harper

Detecting termite activity in trees early can mean the difference between saving your specimen or losing it entirely. If you need expert assistance, our team at Rockoff Tree Solutions knows the signs of termites in a tree and how to address them quickly.