Spring is a great time of year because everything around us comes alive. Of course, this includes nasty insects with a vendetta against your trees.
Pests emerge from the woodwork as the weather warms, and you’ll want to know what indicators to look for. Trees are especially vulnerable to assault after a long winter when they are stressed.
These are some of the most damaging and common insects that can harm your tree and perhaps kill it.
Defoliators
Defoliators are types of pests that munch on and cause damage to the leaves of a tree.
Gypsy Moth
Since 1980, the gypsy moth has been blamed for defoliating over a million acres of woodland each year. These moths lay masses of eggs that hatch into hungry larvae as the leaves sprout in the spring. The larvae of the moth feed on hardwood trees, including oak, birch, elm, and maple.
In the spring, look for yellowish, teardrop-shaped egg masses that can contain up to 500 eggs and can be found on tree trunks. Leaf damage to full defoliation are all possible consequences of this infestation..
Aphids
Aphids that feed on leaves are normally harmless, but high numbers can induce leaf alterations and branch stunting. Aphids also create vast amounts of honeydew, a sticky fluid that often becomes black when a sooty mould fungus grows on it. Some aphid species inject a poison into plants, causing growth problems.
Douglasfir Fir Tussock Moths
The Douglas-fir tussock moth loves Douglas-firs, but in urban areas it can also attack blue spruce and other firs. Because the tussock moth prefers to stay put, trees are usually attacked every year until they are severely damaged. When the larvae begin feeding on new needles in late spring, you’ll see them for the first time.
An indicator of a tussock moth assault is reddish-brown leaves on the top of the tree and its outer branches, then on the lower and interior branches as the infestation progresses. You may also notice egg masses on the lower tree canopy, but avoid touching the larvae once they emerge because the larvae’s microscopic hairs can cause skin irritations and allergic responses.
Wood Borers
A wood borer is a pest that spends most of its life tunneling through wood and devouring it. There are many distinct types of wood-boring bugs, some of which are only annoyances while others pose major dangers.
Emerald Ash Borer
Every year, emerald ash borers kill millions of ash trees. Adult borers are extremely small and may be difficult to spot. One clear indication of emerald ash borer-infested trees are serpentine, S-shaped feeding tubes filled with frass and sawdust.
As the adults emerge, you may notice D-shaped holes in the bark. The emerald ash borer usually infests ash trees with fading foliage and crown dieback that goes from the top down..
Bark Beetles
Bark beetles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they can attack both hardwoods and conifers. The beetle itself does not cause much harm, but the diseases it distributes do. As they migrate from tree to tree, the beetles spread disease by transmitting spores.
One of the signs of a bark beetle infestation is white or brown pitch tubes (small sap-like lumps) on the exterior of the bark or conifers with reddish-brown needles spreading from the top of the tree down.
Rodents and Wildlife
Rodents and wildlife, like squirrels and rabbits, can also damage trees. They can chew on the bark of young trees and can cause scarring. They can also remove bark, wood, and foliage. Other types of damage they can cause include tree girdling, callus ridge formation, deformation, and stunting.
Basic Tips to Protecting Your Trees From Pests
Good Tree Grooming
Make sure your trees are in good shape. Pruning on a regular basis lets light in and promotes good airflow. To prevent the transmission of disease, clean your pruning shears using rubbing alcohol or a solution of one part water and one part bleach.
After that, use oil shears to prevent rusting. Pick these “mummies” when you discover them on your tree or on the ground because last year’s dried-up fruits could be sick. Burn fallen leaves before winter arrives, as disease is carried by their spores.
Healthy Hydration
To keep branches from drying out and breaking off, they must be properly watered. Broken tree branches are not only unsightly and dangerous, but they also invite pest infestations and illness.
Use an anti-desiccant spray to supplement your watering schedule. This product aids in the retention of water by shrubs and trees, especially during periods of drought when they are unable to absorb sufficient amounts from the ground.
Utilize Tree Guards
Rabbits, voles, and other rodents frequently gnaw on tree bark. If they can remove the bark all the way around the trunk (known as ‘ring-barking’ or ‘girdling,’ this prevents carbohydrates from photosynthesis from reaching the roots and is typically deadly.
A tree guard protects the bark from being stripped. Plastic tree guards are not the ideal option; they can contain bugs and keep the bark moist, which promotes illness. Instead, create a protective tube out of wire mesh since it allows for unrestricted air flow, is less inviting to insect pests, and is impossible for rodents to chew through.
If your trees are plagued by smaller rodents like voles, use thin wire mesh. Make sure that there is a large enough gap between the trunk and the mesh so that pests can’t get to the bark.
Make a tube out of the mesh by bending it into a tube and securing it using cable ties or wire. Keep the tree guard erect using a cane, and ensure the wire is firmly embedded in the soil with no gaps at ground level. If the mouse problem is only present during the winter, you may be able to remove the guards in the summer.
Consult the Tree Experts
One of the best ways to rid your property of pests is by calling in the experts.
Pest and disease signs will differ from tree to tree. The leaves will be one of the first to show indications. Additional infestation symptoms will appear on the bark, branches, and twigs of your tree.
If you are unsure whether your tree is suffering from damage caused by pests or an environmental factor, call the tree experts at Dave Lund Tree Service and Forestry. You may contact us for tree pest control at (905) 884-0511 or send us an email at info[@]davelundtreeservice.com.