Winnie,
The aspen holes look like woodpecker holes to me...probably yellow bellied
sapsuckers or pileated woodpeckers. Woodpeckers will attack healthy trees.
You have documented with your photos that the other tree is clearly planted
too deep. Buell's should replace this tree. There isn't much that can be done
to rectify the situation at this time. The tree can't be lifted, and girdling
roots will continue to form as long as it is planted so deep. They could leave
the hole surrounding the trunk but it will attract debris, leaves, etc. And
mulch shouldn't be mounded onto the trunk because that will encourage
adventitious root growth.
I think Buell's should be approached again...with the photos...and the threat
that this story has already been discussed online among Master Gardeners, and
is about to become a teaching case history where forever after Buell's will
be associated with trees planted too deep.
Cliff Johnson, MG/TCA
Chaska, MN
