We have an large old tulip type magnolia in our front yard. This year, we noticed evidence of sapsucker activity (large number of uniform holes in the bark) and now large cracks in the main trunk and larger branches. They are about a quarter inch deep and some are over a foot long. Should we consider having an arborist take a look? I don't want to lose this tree.

Sapsuckers make holes in lines. Sapsuckers are protected birds so you can not harm them but you can scare them. These birds migrate through this area in spring and fall. During migration, place a 5' blow up snake in the tree near the damage area. If the tree is really big, you may need multiple snakes. The tree have smooth bark when young and as it gets old, the bark will crack normally. If the cracks are occuring on the lowest branhes and the lowest part of the trunk near the ground then the cracking may be normal. If however the cracks are occurring on the trunk and branches higher while there is still smooth bark beneath the cracks, you need to have the tree looked at.

I have noticed the same thing in a few of our trees recently. One tree has died due to this and I have noticed the same holes in another. Where would I find these blow up snakes/ how do I hang them? We have very large trees.