Trees, like other plants, can attract pests. Unfortunately, you can’t watch your trees all the time, and pest infestations can develop without warning. You won’t know until you’re relaxing outside and suddenly see that your leaves are chewed up. Learn why pest damage is a serious sign and how you can proactively protect your trees.
Structural Damage
Tree borer insects, such as bark beetles and clearwing moths, pose a threat to the tree’s vascular system. They can bore holes and tunnels into the tree, causing structural damage. This can lead to limb failure or the tree’s death.
A Decrease in Your Tree’s Energy Reserves
Photosynthesis is vital to your tree’s health and helps trees build energy reserves. Caterpillars and similar pests, such as beetles, often chew the leaves. Chewed-up leaves can reduce photosynthesis and drain the tree. As a result, the tree’s immune system weakens and cannot fight off illnesses and diseases as effectively.
A Potential Sign of Disease Transmission
Trees are just as susceptible to insect-transmitted diseases as humans. Insects are harbingers of diseases and fungi that attack the tree and destroy it. Insects can spread diseases from one tree to the next if they aren’t managed and the trees aren’t treated.
Probable Safety Hazards
Once a tree is infested, pests can take over and increase risks to your home, automobiles, and family. Visitors, including service providers, are also at risk and you could be liable for their injuries. The trees become unstable, and falling branches could collide with anything or anyone in your yard.
Rapidly Spreading Infestation
Bark damage and discolored leaves are signs of rapidly spreading infestations. If you notice these signs in time, you can save the tree before there’s a full-on infestation of the entire tree.
How to Protect Your Trees From Pests
An arborist can provide integrated pest management for your trees. They can monitor the trees, identify existing pests, and maintain their health. They can also conduct more detailed inspections and diagnose tree diseases earlier. The arborist can also follow cultural practices and soil health by improving fertilization, soil aeration, and proactive watering.
Pruning is an effective strategy for removing infested branches and preventing tree diseases from spreading. Adding wraps to create a bark and soil barrier can keep pests at bay. An arborist will recommend removing trees that are too far gone.
Chemical treatments, like systemic insecticides, are applied to the soil and injected into the bark. Fungicides and pesticides are used for targeted applications to fight pests, fungal infections, and mites.
Trees can provide many benefits when maintained and protected. Pest damage is a serious warning sign, and it could indicate that your trees aren’t healthy. If you need pest management, contact us at Tree Specialists in Holliston, MA.
