Google suggests leaf cutting bees, does that sound right? I suppose it's worth mentioning that I *did* recently put a hummingbird feeder right next to this tree, and I know bees will sip from them... 🤦

If so, should I just shrug and move on? I do like having pollinators around 🤷

It’s definitely the work of a leafcutter bee. They usually don’t do enough damage to cause any significant harm to a tree, as they’re just cutting enough to line their nests instead of actually eating the leaves.

They‘re beneficial pollinators with many predators of their own as well, so I never mind having them around.

@sah_upstate4 (zone 5b - NY) thank you!

set a lawn chair out there .. various times of the day ... and watch.. and LISTEN ... and then find out where they are going ...

and if the location doesnt bother you.. you are all set ...

if it does ... then you might want to deal with them ...

e.g. .. wasps ... i dont care if they are nesting out on the 5 acres ... but when they decide my house shutters next to the front door are the only place to hive ... well.. that has to be fixed ... and if they are out on the 5 acres.. its fun to watch them build their big ball paper nest over the season ...

ken

https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffnt&q=cutter+bee+nest&iax=images&ia=images