Woodpecker Damage and Tree Removal

[B_4]

We have a 60-70 ft Silver Maple that's probably around 65 years old in our backyard. It's currently scheduled to be removed at the end of the week.

It's endured a lot of damage from woodpeckers over the last 6-7 years to the point that a couple of medium-sized branches have broken off of it (one fell onto our roof). It's had 3 nests already with one hole being fairly large and deep into a primary branch. The tree is situated between our house and our neighbor's so it's definitely always been a concern in terms of safety.

We've had several arborists and pest control people over to give their opinions and options on what we could do to save this tree. The consensus is nothing can really guarantee that the woodpeckers will leave it alone. Even if we did annual pest treatments there's no guarantee that the damage is already done and the heartwood of the tree is in decline. I've tried owls, reflective spinners and sound machines and those failed miserably.

I was dead set on removal until this morning. I started wondering if we were overreacting and having the tree removed prematurely. Could we solve the insect issue? Or is the heartwood of the tree in decline and there's nothing we can do about it?

To those familiar with woodpeckers, what has been your experience? Do we keep throwing money and time at this tree annually to try and control the insect population? Is it too late?






https://imgur.com/IxJiKPc
https://imgur.com/851vnKF

 

[Woodtroll]

Woodpeckers normally won't bore into sound wood (although sometimes they will), so I think that tree has bigger problems than the woodpeckers. The large branch scars, it's likely to have some deep rot. With a tree that big, that close to houses, and a strong possibility of disease, I think you're making the right choice by removing it.

I HATE cutting down yard trees that I've grown to love, but sometimes it's the wisest thing to do, both from safety and economic standpoints.