Spring is an excellent time of year when everything around us is finally bursting to life. This, of course, includes those pesky insects that have it out for your property’s trees. As the weather begins to warm up, pests come out of the woodwork, and you’ll want to know which signs to look for. When trees are stressed out after a long winter, they’re even more susceptible to attack. These are some of the most destructive and common tree pests that can cause severe damage to your tree and also lead to tree death in the process. Here’s some of the most common tree pests and how to locate them!
Gypsy Moth
The gypsy moth is famous for defoliating more than million forested acres every year since the 1980s. As leaves grow in the spring, these moths leave masses of eggs that hatch into hungry baby larvae. The moth’s larvae destroy hardwood trees, especially birch, elm, maple, and oak. Look for yellow, teardrop-shaped eggs, which could contain up to 500 eggs. They can be found on tree trunks during the spring.
Eastern Tent Caterpillar
These tree pests appear in the spring on the east coast of the United States. Tent caterpillars feed on aspens, oaks, sugar maples, and other hardwood shaded trees. The caterpillars emerge in the early months of spring, around the same time trees start to bud. Signs of their infestation include the presence of silken tents, stunted tree growth, and loss of leaves.
Douglas fir Tussock Moths
While the Douglas fir tussock moth typically prefers Douglas-firs, it can also attack blue spruce and other firs in other urban settings. Since the tussock moth enjoys staying put, trees usually are attacked yearly until they’re considerably damaged. You can first spot these tree pests in the late spring when the larvae start to feed on new needles. Reddish grown foliage will first be at the tree’s top and outer branches, and then later on lower and inner branches. There might be egg masses on the lower tree canopy as well, be careful not to touch the larvae once it emerges. Small hairs on the larvae could cause skin irritations and allergic reactions.
If you have any concerns or questions about other common tree pests, do not hesitate to give the tree experts from Harford Tree a call!
Tree Care and Maintenance from Harford Tree
Ready to have the beautiful yard you have always dreamed of? Harford Tree Experts & Landscaping, Inc has been in the business for decades, providing customers with quality work and quick responses all at the right price. We service the areas of Harford County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City areas including Bel Air, Fallston, Perry Hall, Towson, Essex, Parkville, White Marsh, and Middle River. For service during business hours, reach out to us or give us a call at 410-592-7321. We offer 24/7 emergency service as well, just give us a call at 443-250-6649. For updates about our business and more informative tips, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.