Tree Pests to Check in August

Tree pests and diseases come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. What they all have in common is their potential to destroy your beautiful plants, shrubs, and trees. Tree pests overtake millions of urban trees every year, costing cities millions of dollars in maintenance and removals. Planning ahead and acting early can save you from such headaches though. The first step in fending off these destructive and invasive pests is identifying them. In this article brought to you by Southern Star Tree, we will identify some of the tree pests to check in August and summarize some of the symptoms of infestations. You are always welcomed to call Southern Star Tree for professional tree care services.

Asian Longhorned Beetle

The Asian Longhorned Beetle, also known as the starry sky for its black shell scattered with white spots, is a serious threat to hardwood trees including, but not limited to, maples, willow, poplar, birch, elm, and ash. With no current cure, early detection and extermination are critical for their control.

Adult beetles have bullet-shaped bodies about ¾ inch to 1 ½ inches long. They are shiny black with white spots and a long, striped antennae that is 50 percent to 100 percent longer than the body.

Signs of an infestation include:

• Round depressions in the bark of the tree
• Sawdust buildup around the base of the tree
• Small, perfectly round holes
• Yellowed and drooping leaves

Emerald Ash Borer

You can probably guess what this wood-boring pest loves to feast on. The Emerald Ash Borer is responsible for the destruction of tens of millions of ash trees throughout over 30 states. Though there is no cure, there are a variety of treatment options to control Emerald Ash Borers.

You can identify the adult borers by their unique metallic color and red/purple metallic abdominal segments beneath the wings. Larvae can get up to three centimeters in length while adults are roughly ¼ to ½ inch long.

Signs of an infestation include:

• A rise in woodpecker presence and pecking holes
• D-shaped beetle exit holes
• Serpentine patterns of feeding tracks packed with sawdust
• Yellow, thin, or wilted foliage

Aphids

We all have heard of head lice, but have you ever seen plant lice? Aphids are miniscule pests that travel in massive swarms and feed on the soft tissue and fluids of plants. Considering their microscopic size, you will likely spot symptoms of an infestation before you catch the pests themselves.

The consequences of an aphids infestation is not as serious as some other pests’, but the sheer numbers can be discomforting. The likely results of an infestation include twisted, cupped, and distorted stems, leaves, or flowers. You might also find sooty mold, which is attracted to the honeydew that aphids leave behind after eating away at the sap.

You can blast these pests off of your leaves with a spray of water, or, more effectively, use soapy water. You can also employ natural predators such as ladybugs, green lacewings, and birds.

Call Southern Star Tree Service

Are you struggling to contain pests? Your friends at Southern Star Tree Service are the ones to call. We are happy to take your call, arrange a consultation, give you a price estimate, and schedule a flexible appointment.