There’s a hole in my yucca, dear Liza, dear Liza

[Albuquerque, NM area]

My kid noticed the other day that there is a hole in our beloved yucca tree, about a foot off the ground. It’s 2-3 inches wide and several inches deep. Looks like it was made by a critter but I can’t see or tell if anything is living in there at present. I tend to think no, at least not in daytime. Also the close-up shows a clump of some shiny dark brown substance. Could be sap or some kind of eggs or ??? I haven’t poked around or otherwise disturbed it.

My two primary concerns are:

1) that this might sicken or kill the tree, and

2) that it might be or turn into a wasp’s nest or similar

My questions are:

1) What made the hole and what’s in there now?

2) What is that brown stuff inside?

3) Are either of my above concerns valid?

4) What, if anything, do I do about it?

Happy to answer questions or provide more info that would be helpful.

Thanks treefolk!