HELP! Something is ring barking my Ice Cream Bean (forum)

PaulViles starts with ...
Hi all, hoping someone can help me identify what is ring barking and boring into my Ice Cream Bean trees.

It seems to happen most when there is a growth spurt in the tree.

It is happening to all 3 of my trees and they are a good distance from each other.

I live in Gladstone Central Qld. So I am on the boarder of sub-tropical and tropical.

Auto water everyday so ground has moisture but not wet.

Soil is very sandy but has been well improved over 10's of years.

Trees get full sun.

I have many fruit trees on my property of all types (native, citrus and exotic) and the Ice Cream Bean is the only tree this happens to.

I am trying to help my folks get things back up to a easy to maintain standard again so any info on what and how to get rid of this problem is welcome.

They are very keen to establish a large grove of Ice Cream Bean trees but can't while we have this issue.

Cheers

Paul
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Time: 1st October 2019 5:54pm

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About the Author PaulViles
Tannum Sands
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Edward3 says...
Hi. I would assume a grub is responsible for this damage, so I would poke a wire into the hole to try and stab the grub, and then seal the hole. To try and prevent future attacks, perhaps try spraying the trunk with Yates Lime Sulfur spray which they say will remain on the bark so you won't have to respray after rain.

Time: 2nd October 2019 2:16pm

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CARLINGFORD,2118,NSW
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PaulViles says...
I thought so much, so I got harsh with cutting off all branches which have holes in them or were dead. Probably would have cut off about 50% of the tree.

I took all the branches and burnt them in my incinerator to make sure I killed any bugs in them.

I raked back all mulch and inspected the ground for any signs of insect presents.

I will get some Lime Sulfur to spray on the trunk.

Do you think white oil on the remaining branches would help? Suffocate anything remaining?

Cheers for your thoughts.

Time: 2nd October 2019 7:32pm

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Manfred says...
If you come up with something that can kill ice-cream bean trees send me some!

Time: 2nd October 2019 8:40pm

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