Though it’s common to see insects and critters on trees and the undersides of leaves, you don’t want tree-eating bugs to turn your beloved tree into a home or feast. Colonies of harmful pests can be damaging enough to alter a tree’s appearance, create structural instability, or kill the tree.
Oregon Arborist is a certified arborist and tree service in Amity, OR, with extensive experience dealing with infested trees. Our post below outlines which bugs to watch for in your trees.
Top 4 Pests That Damage Trees
Whether your property has one tree or edges a wooded area, having beautiful trees within your landscape can be relaxing. The last thing you want is tree-eating bugs ruining your plants and your landscape’s visual appeal and tranquility. Preserve your home or business’s trees by contacting an arborist if you notice signs of infestations from these pests.
Emerald Ash Borer
The metallic-green wings of an emerald ash borer might be beautiful but you don’t want them living on your trees. These invasive insects are about half an inch long and eat tree bark, resulting in the death of millions of ash trees throughout North America.
Signs of emerald ash borer infestations include S-shaped tunnels under tree bark and D-shaped exit holes. Contact an arborist immediately for treatment to prevent tree death.
The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Unlike the emerald ash borer, the hemlock woolly adelgid will suck sap from hemlock trees. Without treatment, these tiny aphid-like insects can cause a tree to die.
You’ll likely find hemlock woolly adelgids on the base of needles and twigs on host plants. They’re black and oval, so they’re usually not hard to identify. Yet, most people notice the destruction these bugs cause, which includes grayish hemlock needles and premature needle loss.
Bagworms
Bagworms are small caterpillars that create silken “bags” up to two inches in length as shelter on trees. They use the tree’s leaves as part of these bags, creating small holes throughout the foliage. Bagworms usually infest evergreens, but they can also live in deciduous trees.
Asian Longhorned Beetle
These tree-eating bugs impact tree vascular systems, which help the plant transport minerals and water to its leaves. Asian longhorned beetles lay their eggs under tree bark, so when the larvae hatch, they have immediate access to the tree’s vessels as a food source.
These troublesome pests are shiny and black with white spots and long antennas. They cause leaf discoloration, dime-size holes, and bark scarring.
Protect Your Trees From Harmful Pests with Help From Oregon Arborist
Thanks to our professional certified arborist services and 30-plus years of experience, we at Oregon Arborist can quickly identify tree-eating bugs affecting the trees within your property. We believe in providing fast, reliable tree care solutions to improve the health and beauty of trees while minimizing hazards. With us, you can rest assured your trees will get unbeatable care from qualified professionals.
From tree removal to land clearing, our fully licensed and insured company does it all in Amity, OR. Call Oregon Arborist at (503) 899-4166 today for a free estimate or to learn more about us and our services.