What is gnawing the base of my cherry tree?

Question:

holes base of treeI have noticed fresh holes at the base of what I am guessing is an ornamental cherry tree. I do not see any holes or issues up on the branches of the tree. It is a well-established tree, I am guessing 10+ years old as trunk diameter is fairly large even though the tree is not tall. I do not know for sure what it is as we are new to the property. Any idea what is gnawing at the tree, and suggestions for what I should do to help it?

Answer:

Tori Lee Jackson, Extension Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources

This damage looks recent and it may be from a woodpecker. There’s not much you can do to deter them, but if you see additional injury, you could wrap the base of the tree in hardware cloth to deter them.