Are these powder post beetle holes?

[Matthew Curtis]

This is freshly milled cherry that has been air drying for many months. Are these powder post beetle holes?
At 3 1/2", 6 1/4" and 10" marks.

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[Matthew Curtis]

This lumber was air dried outside for about 18 months and was then brought into my shop where it has been stickers and stacked for about a year now. I see no evidence of an infestation anywhere on the sticker lumber. No tiny piles of sawdust anywhere.

This is the same pice as pictured above, just planned down more. Is this just the gum pockets? Do gum pockets get holes?

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[Lee Schierer]

Powder post beetle holes are almost exactly 1/8" in diameter.

[Matthew Curtis]

Powder post beetle holes are almost exactly 1/8" in diameter.

My holes are smaller than that. Any idea what they are from?

[John Gornall]

What we refer to as powder post beetles leave a 1/16" hole
And a lot of fine sawdust

[Matt Day]

I’m not an expert, but I think the powdered sawdust is the main giveaway for PPB. those holes look similar to the holes I see in ambrosia or wormy maple.

[Brian Tymchak]

I’m not an expert, but I think the powdered sawdust is the main giveaway for PPB. those holes look similar to the holes I see in ambrosia or wormy maple.

No expert here either, but I did recently see something similar in a cherry board. Did a little googling and found that ambrosia beetles can attack trees other than maple.

[Jim Becker]

Occasional holes like that can be common in cherry in my experience, especially with "character" boards like what is posted. If there's no fras evidence (dust, etc) I doubt that powder post is involved. But it's very good that you're keeping that in mind.

[Matthew Curtis]

Thanks everyone. Just my paranoia setting in. I must say I like the character that I am finding in some of my cherry. It keeps things interesting.

[John K Jordan]

Thanks everyone. Just my paranoia setting in. I must say I like the character that I am finding in some of my cherry. It keeps things interesting.

There is much info about PPBs on the internet if you want to read up. Here is one: https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef616
There are several types of power post beetles. The size of the holes can be different for different types of PPBs. It's useful to know what an active infestation looks like for boards left in one position for long periods - it is typical to see piles of frass below the holes. Live PPBs can be in the wood for many months or years before emerging. I put some turning blanks with suspected infestation in a closed tub and some months later found beetles in the bottom of the tub.

[Mark Bolton]

That Cherry in your photo is from a tree that was in the initial stages of decay. Likely not PP bettles and were in the tree when it was sawn. Ive cut a lot of down/standing dead/dying Cherry that looks identical to that (and a lot far worse).

[Alex Zeller]

Once you start working the board if it's PPB you'll see troughs (long oval shapes). The beetles don't bore in straight holes. Most likely they will be filled with powder. If you would like I can take a picture and post it.

[Scott T Smith]

As John wrote, there are several different types of powder post beetles. The one that is the most concerning for woodworkers is the lyctid powder post beetle, because it will stay active in dry lumber (and can stay inside the lumber for up to 7 years before boring out to lay eggs).

The other common PPB will leave the wood as it dries out.

Wormy maple, also referred to as ambrosia maple, is caused by the ambrosia powder post beetle. This can be easily identified by not only the stain, but the fact that the bore holes are stained black inside.

The only method that the USDA FPL recommends for extermination is heat sterilization.

[Matthew Curtis]

Does anyone think I have an issue based on my pics above?

[Mark Bolton]

Does anyone think I have an issue based on my pics above?

I wouldnt be concerned.