This is Dedicated to the Tree that's not Loved Enough

I almost called this post, "Don't Blame the Rabbits", because yesterday I came across a flier from a local landscaping place, and read that no job is too small.  I told Larry I was going to see how much they would charge to put rabbit fencing around the vegetable garden, since we just don't ever seem to get around to doing it.  He told me to get an estimate on getting the front tree trimmed.

The tree guy came while Larry was gone, and he found damage that he said was due to some kind of borers.  I told the man I do not use pesticides.  He said that what they use would only be absorbed by the tree's roots  Well, those roots go into the other planting areas.  First, he's going to inspect the tree to see if it is safe, then he'll trim it so it doesn't grow into the house. He said it may need to come down.  I have huge mixed feelings about that.  When I went to look it up, there were different kinds of borers, and I couldn't remember which kind he thought they were.

I've mentioned that Larry and his dad moved the tree to this spot from the alley behind a neighbor's house when it was about 4 feet tall.  Larry said it was the summer of 1963.

I took some photos today to post in case some of you can tell what's going on. 

Here are a couple of the holes.

One thing I found in my search, was that holes from woodpeckers tend to be in a row, and when it's borers, the holes are more random.  There are a few randomish, but most look like this:

I'm not sure if these moist looking spots are anything to be concerned about.

When I was about to take a photo of the loose bark, I noticed something underneath one of the loose places.

Do you know what kind of critter this is going to be?

Since there is a chance the tree may have to come down, I decided to post more photos to honor it.  The next photo was taken April 25, 2010.  I don't remember if the "helicopters" had graced ours and the neighbors' yards yet. The helicopters are a pain, but I have seen squirrels eating them.  I think I wouldn't miss them if they were gone.

This photo, taken May 8, shows a couple branches getting awfully close to our house.  (Added Monday afternoon:  I was just looking at my photos, and noticed what I'm pretty sure are the "helicopters" from the tree all over the yard and in the curb area.)

This was also taken May 8.  It's one of the few photos that show how tall the tree is.

I had fun seeing what all was blooming at different times of the year as I found photos of the tree.  This one is from May 18.

This one is from June 2.  I don't remember why I took photos of it in the dark.

The next two are from June 25.  You can see the two branches that are getting too close to the house.

July 20th:

 August 2:

October 6:

On October 30th, the leaves were turning their fall colors.

The next two are from November 3rd.

I take a lot of photos from this angle of the tree.  If it gets cut down, I am going to miss it.

By December 3rd, the leaves were off of the tree.

If you had to have the tree cut down, would you leave the stump, or have it removed?  If we leave the stump, I could put pots and such on it, but I don't think we'd be able to plant another tree.  I really think this tree is too big for the spot it is in.  I wonder what would be a good kind of tree to plant here that would do well, and not get too big.  We really should have a tree there.  I just don't want to use pesticides unless I know for sure they won't hurt the other insects on the property, and will save the tree.  If it is already weakened and unhealthy, I want to get it down now.  We have had some pretty big branches fall off when it's windy.  I feel bad that I don't really know how to take good care of trees.  I will need to learn.  I don't think this one has ever been pruned.  I don't even know if all trees are supposed to be pruned.