As temperatures begin to drop with the arrival of fall, it’s common for people to drop their guard against tree pest protection. Although some pest species start their preparation for freezing winter temperatures, many continue to survive and thrive even during the winter. Therefore, our Tri-Cities tree care experts at Promier Tree share on the blog today information about four spooky pests that can harm your trees this fall and how to protect them from health issues.
1. Fall webworm
Fall webworms are shrubs and shade tree native pests that appear in the late summer and early fall. Unfortunately, these pests commonly attack walnut, Birch, Hickory, crabapple, and cherry trees. Our Johnson City ISA-Certified arborists explain that the fall webworm creates nests over branch ends instead of in tree crotches like the eastern tent Caterpillar. The large webs contain partially eaten leaves, fecal droppings, and caterpillars that webworms feast upon inside the webbing and continuously increase the nest size while growing.
2. Wooly adelgid
Wooly Adelgid is an Asian transplant pest that currently causes devastating results to trees and landscapes, especially when left untreated. Unfortunately, there are no native predators to the Woolly Adelgid, so they spread unchecked and threaten trees nationally. Our Kingsport tree care pros explain that the Adelgid is a small black insect that can attach itself to the underside of hemlock twigs, where it can hide and feed. As the pest develops, they secrete white wax that looks like small cotton balls, hence giving it the name “Wooley.” Fortunately, arborists can treat the pest and possibly revive trees with significant infestations and damage.
3. Obscure scales
The Obscure Scale is an armored pest that can attack a wide variety of tree types like Hickory, Beech, Willow, Dogwood, and Maple. These pests remove plant fluids using a piercing mouthpart that could cause premature leaf drop and dieback. Our Bristol ISA-Certified arborists explain that as the pest removes fluid from twigs and branches, sunken bark areas can appear and cause a rough appearance. In some cases, infested branches may look like they are sprinkled with small pieces of silver glitter or wood ashes.
4. Oak leaf itch mites
The Oak Leaf Itch Mite is a tree pest originating from multiple areas like India, Chile, Australia, Egypt, and the United States. Even though Oak Leaf Itch Mites are not a significant threat to tree health, they can be a nuisance to humans. Our Tri-Cities ISA-Certified arborists explain that Oak Leaf Itch Mites can attack humans and leave a tiny, itchy bump on the skin. Therefore, treating your tree before the pests turn on you and your family is best.
How can I protect my trees from pests?
Discovering that a tree on your property has a pest infection can cause feelings of anxiety and be disheartening. However, when you discover pests, the best thing for your tree and other trees on your property is to obtain a health evaluation from an ISA-Certified arborist in the Johnson City area. Our arborists can examine your property’s trees and determine which ones require treatment or removal based on the pest infestation and overall tree health. Then, we will create a treatment plan aimed at ridding your trees of pests and protecting their health.
Certified arborists in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol, Tennessee
Spooky pests in your trees can be a bit scary. While some pasts cause more damage than others, tree pests, in general, can create enough damage to cause a tree to shed its leaves or die. Therefore, our Kingsport tree care pros recommend scheduling an arborist consultation to determine the health status of trees on your property and begin treatment immediately. If you have questions about spooky pests and your trees, or you would like to schedule an appointment with an arborist, please call Promier Tree at (423) 765-2626 or contact us online.