the tree looks to be OK, from what i read about the bird, they drill holes into the trees so the sap comes out, which then allows some bugs in, and they eat them too... what may kill it, is me pruning it, as i have to cut more than 1/3 of the top of the tree, as she hasnt pruned it in probably 15 years... if at all... Birch trees have a high sugar sap that the birds like, same thing (in a sense) with humans and Alder smoke, Alder is part of the Birch family...

it is rather entertaining watching him tho.. the little bastard is FAST...hopefully he doesnt start drilling on my Apple tree..

from what i have read about the bird, sometimes Hummingbirds come and suck the sap out of the holes as well, havent seen any of them yet...

i learned enough in Horticulture that im confident i could keep this tree alive, ive done some pretty cool things the last couple years with neighbors trees that were near dead, one of which was a Dogwood tree that my neighbor planted before she died of cancer 2 years ago... her brother wanted to keep it, and the dumb a$$ kids he hired to do his lawn once screwed up and weed ate the crap out of the base of the tree and ripped the bark off to the meat...my concoction of organic fertilizers and care, the tree has now fully recovered, and is even flowering with nice pink flowers that are rather large.... i also saved one of the Azalea's she planted, and now has to be really taken care of as there is so many flowers on it that if not kept clean, it will cause mold and a miriad of other diseases...

so im kinda at an impass at what i should do here... like i said, she wont pay me, the tree looks extremely overgrown, and like crap, but its very healthy by looking at the foliage... i dont like killing trees if i dont have to, but its probably a 3+ hour prune job... and the corner of my house is right near it, so if it falls, there is 2 windows and a gutter in its path...

i may just show her BF what to do, and let him kill it lol...