Our landscape trees face numerous challenges that can impact their growth and overall health. While many of these challenges come from environmental factors like extreme weather, water-related issues, or soil problems, some of the most damaging threats are pests. These pests can wreak havoc on your cherished landscape plants if left unchecked.
What is a pest? A pest is any insect, disease, weed, or other biotic or abiotic factor that can cause harm, or even death, to a tree.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most common pests that plague our Ozarks landscapes and how they affect your trees.
Bagworms: Every year, we encounter a surge of bagworms. These caterpillars shield themselves by creating protective bags from their host plants while they feast on the foliage. Their preferred targets are evergreen trees such as Arborvitae, Pine, and Juniper.
Mites: There are many varieties of mites, each with its favorite host plants. We commonly find them feeding on Alberta Spruce, boxwoods, and burning bushes. Mites drain the foliage’s juices, which can lead to leaves developing a stippled appearance, browning on evergreens, or even defoliation.
Emerald Ash Borer: This destructive insect, originally from China, arrived on shipping crates and has gradually spread across the country, devastating Ash trees. If you own an Ash tree and want to preserve it, treatment is essential. Signs of damage include limb dieback, excessive sucker growth, bark blonding, and D-shaped exit holes.
Fungal Diseases: Fungal infections are the most common pest issue for landscape trees. Among the most frequently observed fungal problems are Needle Cast disease on Blue Spruce and Austrian Pine, Apple Scab on Crabapples, and Rust on a variety of tree species.
Fall Webworms: Around this time of year, we receive numerous calls from customers alarmed by these pests. Often mistaken for bagworms, Fall Webworms are primarily an aesthetic concern. By the time they appear, your trees have typically accumulated enough resources through photosynthesis that some defoliation won’t cause lasting harm.
These are just a few examples of the common pests we encounter in the Ozarks. If you’re concerned about the health of your trees, contact us to schedule a visit from a certified arborist. We’ll assess your landscape and recommend treatments that will help your trees and shrubs thrive.