Red Oak Borer

Abstract

The red oak borer, Enaphalodes rufulus (Haldeman)3, is an important member of the oak borer complex that permanently damages the wood of living oak trees and causes a decrease in lumber grade. The loss in grade can amount to 40 percent of the current tree value, which, at today's prices, is about $80 per thousand board feet for factory grade lumber in terms of reduced quality caused by larval tunnels. About 38 percent of the oak wood used for lumber, cooperage, and veneer in the Eastern United States is affected.