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Bug Out

Countless insects live on, in, and around trees - many are harmless, while others can cause fatal damage. These bugs can be split into three subcategories:

 

Chewing insects: Defoliating insects migrate to the foliage of a tree and feed on the leaves. Other chewing insects attack the fruit. Caterpillars and beetles make up the largest proportion of chewing insects. Generally, trees can bounce back from an attack of these defoliators, though repeat infestation will weaken a tree and can eventually kill it by starving it of energy.

 

Boring insects: Boring insects are often the most harmful to trees and if left intreated can cause death. Boring, or tunneling, insects cause damage by boring into the stem, roots, or twigs of a tree. Some lay eggs which then hatch and the larvae burrow more deeply into the wood blocking off the water-conducting tissues of the tree.  Boring insects generally feed on the vascular tissues of the tree. If the infestation is serious, the upper leaves are starved of nutrients and moisture and the tree can die. Signs of borer infestation include entry/exit holes in the bark, small mounds of sawdust at the base, and sections of the crown wilting and dying. It is important to regularly monitor a tree's trunk for signs of boring insects to enable early identification and quick treatment.

 

Sucking insects: These insects do their damage by sucking out the liquid from leaves and twigs. Many sucking insects (e.g. scale insects) are relatively immobile, living on the outside of a branch and forming a hard protective outer coating while they feed on the plant juices in the twig. Quite often they will excrete a sweet, sticky substance known as honeydew which contains unprocessed plant material. Honeydew can cause sooty mold to form on leaves and can become a nuisance for homeowners. Signs of infestation include scaly formations on branches, dieback of leaves, and honeydew production.

Disease

Nothing is more horrific to any gardener, hobbyist or professional, than seeing a beloved tree dying from disease. Trees can become infected with disease, just like people and animals, and there are many different bacterial and fungal infections from which the trees might suffer. Tree disease is caused by varying factors, including the tree’s geographical location, weather, soil conditions, and the overall health of the tree and other plant life surrounding it. Where a person lives and plants a tree, will dictate the tree diseases that one should worry about.

If caught in time, tree disease is not necessarily a death sentence. In worse case scenarios, professionals can be brought in to cure the tree or remove it completely, if it is too late to save the plant. Diseases can also be avoided by knowing the common types prevalent in the geographic area, and purchasing and planting trees resistant to the area’s problematic agricultural disease. Diligently monitoring the tree’s fertilizer, light, soil, and watering conditions will also help keep disease at bay.

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