In this Palo Alto online article, George Reno from Davey's Menlo Park office talks about the different beetles that could infest your Peninsula trees and offers advice on how to safeguard them.  

Posted: September 23, 2025

A man in a black shirt inspecting a tree trunk's bark.Small, but destructive, bark beetles are quietly putting stress on Peninsula oaks and pines. Early detection of this group of insects that tunnel and reproduce under the bark of trees can mean the difference between saving an iconic tree or losing it.

Beetles to Watch

Invasive Shot Hole Borer

Barely bigger than a sesame seed, this non-native beetle was  first detected in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties last fall and poses an imminent threat to the region’s urban landscapes and natural forests. Unlike others, the Shot Hole Borer attacks healthy native trees. By boring into trunks and introducing a fungus, it causes a slow decline that can eventually kill whole trees. Known hosts include box elder, California sycamore, valley oak, coast live oak, California buckeye, Japanese maple, avocado, acacia and many more.

To continue reading George's advice, click here. 

For more information, contact the Menlo Park office. 

The Davey Tree Expert Company provides research-driven tree services, grounds maintenance and environmental and utility infrastructure consulting for residential, utility, commercial and environmental partners in the U.S. and Canada. Established in 1880 and headquartered in Kent, Ohio, Davey has over 12,000 employees who create and deliver sustainable solutions. Davey continues to grow through expertise with the SEED Campus, its newest commitment to training, research and safety. Become part of the Davey legacy by applying today and join one of the top ten largest employee-owned companies in the U.S.

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