Spring is the best time to be able to get out and enjoy the warm weather, and it’s a good time for trees and shrubs to begin their growing season as well. Unfortunately, one very annoying part of spring is the insects. While humans can become irritated and infected by insects like mosquitoes and ticks, trees and shrubs can become infected with insects that destroy their overall health.
In Concord, North Carolina, there are more than a few insects and pests that can take down a tree. It feels weird to say that because as humans, we see trees as strong plants that live a long, full life. So it may be odd to hear that tiny insets can bring a beautiful, oxygen-producing plant to its demise. To prevent this, you will need to know the signs of the issues.
The Emerald Ash Borer
Known officially as Agrilus planipennis, this insect can infect ash trees and kill them at alarming rates. If you notice that your once full, luscious tree leaves are beginning to yellow and thin out, you might be dealing with the Emerald Ash Borer. Other clear identifiers include holes in the bark of the tree that is shaped like the letter “D” and bark that is splitting in multiple places. To keep on top of this issue before it begins or begins to spread, treating it with preventative insecticides is the best way to do so.
Eastern Tent Caterpillars
In the late spring and early summer months, these furry pests like to get their hands on sweet things to give themselves energy. This means that they mainly invade trees that grow fruit: plum trees, cherry trees, apple trees, etc. During this time, keep your eye out for long, furry caterpillars that aren’t the traditional green or red color you often see being depicted. They are long, black, with a yellowish stripe running down the middle of their bodies. While the Eastern Tent Caterpillars don’t cause direct harm to trees, they usually weaken the immune system of the tree. This issue leaves your fruit-baring trees much more susceptible to contracting a disease.
Cankerworms
These pests are small and it doesn’t seem like they will be an issue from the start. These are tiny, white worms that are almost an inch long who feed on the leaves and stems of the leaves of your trees. This causes defoliation of the tree. A strong, healthy tree will survive this once, twice, maybe even three times – but even the ones in perfect health begin to deteriorate if defoliation happens over and over. Once you spot a cankerworm, you will want to stop it early before it can reach the point of no return. For trees that are not in perfect health, cankerworms can be even more harmful.
Don’t Let Your Trees and Shrubs Down This Year
Prevention is the best medicine, both for humans and plants. Pine Valley offers Tree and Shrub care programs that create a protected environment for your greenery to thrive in. The professionals at Pine Valley Turf are here to help feed and protect your trees and ornamentals so that they look their best and are as healthy as can be!
Call us at (704) 831-8917 or request a quote here. Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on all the latest news, and check out our blog for more helpful lawn care tips.