Do termites kill trees?

Ekka · 24th August 2007, 02:07 AM

Think about this question carefully.

Imagine you are sat before a judge and asked the question, will termites kill a tree, yes or no?

I know I only have 2 options to vote for because I want to force a definative yes or no, no maybe's or depends on bla bla bla. For instance, we know many other ailments that will kill a tree, no doubt about it, so lets open it up but force you into a corner at the same time.

Live trees fail with termites present, so do dead trees, in this definition we are looking beyond failure as the cause of death ... in other words, if the tree were propped and suspended would the termites end up killing the tree from their activities?

If you know entomologists and termite experts now is the time to call them in.

TreeCo · 24th August 2007, 03:59 AM

I don't know if they kill trees or not but they sure do drag a lot of dirt up inside the trunk!

a_lopa · 24th August 2007, 04:02 AM

They sure dont help!

Sean Freeman · 24th August 2007, 04:25 AM

I don't want to come across like an entomologist, cause you all know I'm not however for me the answer to your hypothetical is yes...but very slowly. Termites do not eat live wood they follow the advances of dysfunction in the tree contained more or less by CODIT...however some termites have an interesting weapon..they farm wood digesting fungi and by doing so actually make available much more wood tissue than would otherwise be the case.

Mycology - Animal Interactions - Symbiotic Interactions

Termites' symbiotic fungi & social homeostasis

My own dissections of declining large gums of various species up here certainly suggests there's more going on even with our little (and not so little!) ozzie white ants!

a_lopa · 24th August 2007, 04:30 AM

Yes ive seen them eat more than the dead stuff!

Ive got some pics somewhere.

mdvaden · 26th August 2007, 12:06 AM

It might depend on whether we are talking about American termites or Australian termites.

Some termites are bigger than others, you know.

I wouldn't be surprised if they do good things for trees and bad things.

They do destroy solid wood. And solid wood in a tree is not a bad thing to have present, even if it's dead tissue. There is going to be some strength in it, unless its burrowed and digested.

But that may be more a matter of weakening than killing. Yet, weakening can lead to death.

NeTree · 28th August 2007, 05:10 PM

I seem to recall this being hashed out with some fervor on another forum a few years back.

I voted no, because IMHO termites are a symptom- not a cause- of tree health issues. By themselves, no- they won't kill a tree.

That said, while they're making inroads into a tree, they open up many avenues for more detrimental things to take hold.

Quintrex · 9th December 2007, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeTree

I seem to recall this being hashed out with some fervor on another forum a few years back.

I voted no, because IMHO termites are a symptom- not a cause- of tree health issues. By themselves, no- they won't kill a tree.

That said, while they're making inroads into a tree, they open up many avenues for more detrimental things to take hold.

Hear hear!

windthrown · 16th December 2007, 08:33 PM

Termites around here (US PNW) do not eat live wood, nor will they kill a live and halthy tree. Supposedly they cannot eat anything but dead wood, lest there would be no more trees in the world. They will eat a dying tree of any decayed wood, and people will think that they have killed them. I recall from an antropology class in college that termites generate more energy and body heat than any other species on earth, including humans.

I have never seen a termite infestation in a living tree. I had a huge colony in my house in California though. 2x4 sawdust. Even in redwood. Munch munch munch....

treeman · 18th December 2007, 12:13 PM

I have too say yes
Shigo's A New Tree Biology give a good description of the little
blighters

dguntertrees · 18th February 2008, 02:36 AM

Sorry Ekka,

doesn't look like you're going to get away with a yes or no here....

Depends on the species of Termite; species of tree; geographical location...

I would say no, not directly. But then again.....

arborjockey · 18th February 2008, 09:14 AM

Ill agree that, Ekka you have to be more specific this time. If they only eat dead wood they would have to have access to it. Maybe a dead stub. That tree probably would have to be digestable to them. Last their would have to be alot of those buggers to eat a big tree. How many calls have you gotten from homeowners who say that the ants are killing their tree? I was taught

that most ants only infest trees that have been previously entered by termites. The ants renevate the the termite old holes and move in. So if your tree had termites maybe you can bring in ants to evict them. I found this pic. it says it was taken in Queensland and the mounds are termites. Do gums not get termites? Im sure their hungry

Ekka · 18th February 2008, 04:56 PM

Plenty of termites in trees here however in my experience they dont eat sapwood and their predominant point of entry is centre (pith).

TreeSpecialist · 25th April 2008, 03:24 PM

No.

Not directly.

But then again trees often succumb to a variety of ills before going toes up.

I have seen termites in a wide variety of living (and apparently healthy trees - even trees known for their resistance to decay such as Juniperus asheii.)

They seem to colonize decayed areas behind walls 1 and 2 (CODIT) - seldom breach wall 3 or 4.

We have the Formosan termite coming in here - they find them in creosoted rail road ties as well as houses.

newguy18 · 30th April 2008, 06:06 AM

I'd have to say no,i've only seen termites in dead trees or trees with cavities or heart rot.I will say they don't help the tree in anyway that i can tell and have probabley led to many tree or limb failures.

24th August 2007, 02:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 5,659	Do termites kill trees? Think about this question carefully. Imagine you are sat before a judge and asked the question, will termites kill a tree, yes or no? I know I only have 2 options to vote for because I want to force a definative yes or no, no maybe's or depends on bla bla bla. For instance, we know many other ailments that will kill a tree, no doubt about it, so lets open it up but force you into a corner at the same time. Live trees fail with termites present, so do dead trees, in this definition we are looking beyond failure as the cause of death ... in other words, if the tree were propped and suspended would the termites end up killing the tree from their activities? If you know entomologists and termite experts now is the time to call them in. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

24th August 2007, 04:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
a_lopa Astronaut Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Drouin Posts: 836	They sure dont help! __________________ Free Tree Industry Link Directory Drouin tree lopping, land clearing and stump removals

24th August 2007, 04:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,521	I don't want to come across like an entomologist, cause you all know I'm not however for me the answer to your hypothetical is yes...but very slowly. Termites do not eat live wood they follow the advances of dysfunction in the tree contained more or less by CODIT...however some termites have an interesting weapon..they farm wood digesting fungi and by doing so actually make available much more wood tissue than would otherwise be the case. Mycology - Animal Interactions - Symbiotic Interactions Termites' symbiotic fungi & social homeostasis My own dissections of declining large gums of various species up here certainly suggests there's more going on even with our little (and not so little!) ozzie white ants! __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

24th August 2007, 04:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
a_lopa Astronaut Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Drouin Posts: 836	Yes ive seen them eat more than the dead stuff! Ive got some pics somewhere. __________________ Free Tree Industry Link Directory Drouin tree lopping, land clearing and stump removals

26th August 2007, 12:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
mdvaden Astronaut Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 578	It might depend on whether we are talking about American termites or Australian termites. Some termites are bigger than others, you know. I wouldn't be surprised if they do good things for trees and bad things. They do destroy solid wood. And solid wood in a tree is not a bad thing to have present, even if it's dead tissue. There is going to be some strength in it, unless its burrowed and digested. But that may be more a matter of weakening than killing. Yet, weakening can lead to death. __________________ ____________________________________ Grove of Redwood TITANS Oregon BIGOOT trap

View Poll Results: Do termites kill trees?
Yes	10	38.46%
No	16	61.54%
Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll

24th August 2007, 03:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
TreeCo Afterburner is shakin' Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 260	I don't know if they kill trees or not but they sure do drag a lot of dirt up inside the trunk!

28th August 2007, 05:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
NeTree Gettin' motoring Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA Posts: 11	I seem to recall this being hashed out with some fervor on another forum a few years back. I voted no, because IMHO termites are a symptom- not a cause- of tree health issues. By themselves, no- they won't kill a tree. That said, while they're making inroads into a tree, they open up many avenues for more detrimental things to take hold.

16th December 2007, 08:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
windthrown Fly'n Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 125	Re: Do termites kill trees? Termites around here (US PNW) do not eat live wood, nor will they kill a live and halthy tree. Supposedly they cannot eat anything but dead wood, lest there would be no more trees in the world. They will eat a dying tree of any decayed wood, and people will think that they have killed them. I recall from an antropology class in college that termites generate more energy and body heat than any other species on earth, including humans. I have never seen a termite infestation in a living tree. I had a huge colony in my house in California though. 2x4 sawdust. Even in redwood. Munch munch munch.... __________________ So few saws, so many trees... Stihls: 210/250-/025/290/361/FS85 Echo: CS-3000, Olympyk & Mac doorstops

18th December 2007, 12:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
treeman Break'n the ice Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: uk Posts: 5	Re: Do termites kill trees? I have too say yes Shigo's A New Tree Biology give a good description of the little blighters

18th February 2008, 02:36 AM	#11 (permalink)
dguntertrees Cruisin' Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mudgeeraba, SE Queensland Posts: 94	Re: Do termites kill trees? Sorry Ekka, doesn't look like you're going to get away with a yes or no here.... Depends on the species of Termite; species of tree; geographical location... I would say no, not directly. But then again.....

18th February 2008, 04:56 PM	#13 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 5,659	Re: Do termites kill trees? Plenty of termites in trees here however in my experience they dont eat sapwood and their predominant point of entry is centre (pith). __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

25th April 2008, 03:24 PM	#14 (permalink)
TreeSpecialist Cruisin' Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 97	Re: Do termites kill trees? No. Not directly. But then again trees often succumb to a variety of ills before going toes up. I have seen termites in a wide variety of living (and apparently healthy trees - even trees known for their resistance to decay such as Juniperus asheii.) They seem to colonize decayed areas behind walls 1 and 2 (CODIT) - seldom breach wall 3 or 4. We have the Formosan termite coming in here - they find them in creosoted rail road ties as well as houses.

30th April 2008, 06:06 AM	#15 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,185	Re: Do termites kill trees? I'd have to say no,i've only seen termites in dead trees or trees with cavities or heart rot.I will say they don't help the tree in anyway that i can tell and have probabley led to many tree or limb failures. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

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