Like Konrad's area, the Sapsuckers here like to hit the birch trees but also damage many other varieties as well. Because of the smooth, white surface of the birch, it is easier to tell that the trees weren't not perviously being attacked by bugs. The sap holes attract several kinds of bugs including ants and wasps. The sapsuckers will return for both the sap and the bugs. From my observations, they seem more interested in the bugs that the sap has attracted. I would definately say "yes" to sapsuckers doing tree damage to attract a bug meal in the future. As far as the Pileated killing a tree to get bugs in the future, I don't know. That seems like a long span of time between the task and the reward. We have a lot of Pileated here as well and they just work the dead trees and occasionally my house siding. Big damage - very fast. I agree that birds can behave very differently by region.

The rows of holes do sound like sapsuckers. Although related to woodpeckers, they are not going after insects in the tree, but the sap (hence the name sapsucker). You shouldn't have to worry about ants. I've seen a lot of sapsucker damage, but never heard of them going after conifers. I see them on aspen, birch, mountain-ash, and some small maples like amur maple. I would be surprised if they ate pitch from a conifer. Typically sapsuckers feed for a couple of weeks and move on. The small wounds they make can heal over, although if there are a lot of them - several rows - then there is the risk that sections of bark will die and more serious damage occurs. If the sapsuckers are actively feeding, they will return to the same tree several times a day. If so, it is time to try the beach balls.

HTown, don't be too comfortable with them. I've been feeding the ones in our yard off and on for awhile, but I never get too close to them. No matter how "familiar" you may be with them, they still have an instinctive distrust for people and they have the potential to be dangerous. Most people don't like them because they've had bad experiences with them, just like many other types of wildlife that invade or wreak some form of destruction on their property, and that's completely understandable. They can also be aggressive towards pets. I made a point of mentioning to my neighbors that there were raccoons active in our area. If you get to feeding them and slack off, they could move on to another property where they're not as welcome and that could have negative consequences for the neighbor, the raccoon or both. I'm not saying don't feed or enjoy them, but make sure you educate yourself on them before you get into it on a regular or semi-regular basis. Make sure there are no means for them to access your house including the roof and chimney, because once they know where the food is coming from they could try to find an easier way to get to it. It's best not to leave food for them near your house for this reason. One of the first things I did when I knew how much they came around was make sure they couldn't get on our roof from any trees, the area around our deck was sealed, and our chimney cap was secure. I added chicken(Actually smaller gapped fencing than chicken wire) wire around the opening to ensure there was no access.(Something I was going to do anyway to deter the birds that ended up in our living room.) This link I found can cover it a little more indepth. These are just tips, but they can be helpful. Feeding Tips I guess my message is it's fine to enjoy them, but make sure you know what you're getting yourself in for, as there are a few things to consider. :-)

I'm not surprised that your jewelweed is surviving, Deanna. It's a prolific re-seeder! I have no qualms about pulling up clumps of it that are growing where I don't want them to grow. I know they'll be back! On edit: You have small children, if I remember correctly. When jewelweed goes to seed, it's an unending amusement to little kids to squeeze the swollen seed pods and watch them explode! (Hahaha, and I must admit I still get a kick out of it!) Hence jewelweed's second name "touch-me-not." I should mention that invasive honeysuckle bushes are great pollinator attractions, hummingbirds among them. Most people wouldn't willingly allow it to grow, and I have battled it in a few places where I don't want it. But I welcome it in the unmowed areas that I am re-foresting because I know that eventually the trees will take over. In the meantime it is a fast growing provider of cover/privacy/screening and a boon to the wildlife.