subject: Pests That Can Kill Your Trees [print this page] Trees are actually very fragile plants that are much easier to kill than many of us realize. Each year millions of oaks, elms and pines are knocked off by tiny insects such as the emerald ash borer and the gypsy moth.
Homeowners in Alabama and Florida are probably very familiar with another kind of pest: kudzu. You may not realize it but this obnoxious vine can actually kill a tree. To make matters worse many property owners end up killing off their prize magnolia by not properly removing kudzu.
The pestilences afflicting ornamental trees are getting worse because each year dozens of new pests are moving to America. These unwanted immigrants often target oaks, elms, beaches and other big trees that make yards attractive.
This means that every property owner needs to take at least a few precautions against these pests. Fortunately it is possible to protect the natural beauty of your land and the value of your property with a little vigilance.
How to Protect Your Trees
The best way to protect your property is to take a look at every tree on your property about once a month. The first thing you should look at is the leaves or if it is an evergreen - the needles. If the leaves are turning color out of season or most of the needles on an evergreen are turning color at any time you should be concerned.
Such changes in color can be a sign that an insect or other pest is attacking your tree. Other signs you should look for are globs of sap on the bark, holes drilled by insect pests and fungus or vines growing on the bark.
If you think that some sort of pest is attacking your trees your best course of action is to call a professional arborist. An arborist is an expert in the care and health of shrubs and other vegetation.
The arborist can tell you exactly what is wrong and what action you should be taking. It is often possible to prevent the spread of insects by spraying and to remove plant pests like Kudzu. It is even possible to kill fungal infections that can kill peaches or birch by spraying for them.
Arborists can also tell you if you will need to cut down a magnolia or not. Sometimes removing a sick tree is the only way to protect the rest of your ornamental vegetation from a disease or insect. If removal is necessary the arborist can do it safely, properly and economically.
Best of all a professional arborist should be able to give you an estimate before any work is done. That way you can protect your property and not spend a lot of money in the process.
You should be able to locate arborists online or in your phone work under the heading "tree services." Your state forest service or city parks department can sometimes help you locate reputable services.
