Oregon primarily has sap-feeding, defoliating, and wood-boring insects. As a property owner or manager with trees in your yard, you want to stay alert for clues of tree pests. If you’ve ever asked yourself the question, “What’s eating my tree?” you’ve come to the right place.
We’ll explore five common tree pests in Oregon and how they affect trees and shrubs. If you need someone to help you remove a tree, contact our team for skilled tree removal in McMinnville, Oregon.
1. Aphids and Scales
Besides spreading fungal tree diseases, aphids or scale insects destroy leaves and may cause tree death. Symptoms of infestation include yellowing leaves that start to curl with a wet, shiny substance that the pests secrete as they feed on sap.
2. Elm Leaf Beetle
Elm leaf beetle larvae eat all the tender material of leaves while leaving the structural veins in place. Adult beetles chew circular holes in leaves. Left untreated, the defoliation may cause leaves to fall early and sections of the tree to die back.
3. Bronze Birch Bore Beetles
While adult beetles cause minimal damage as they feed on birch leaves, the larvae can cause significant damage. The adults lay eggs in cracks under the bark and damaged areas of the tree.
Once the eggs hatch, the larvae chew deeper into the bark and begin feeding on the xylem and phloem tissues, inhibiting the tree from distributing water and nutrients.
4. Emerald Ash Borer
Native to Asia, the Emerald Ash Borer has destroyed tens of millions of trees across the United States. Adult females begin laying eggs on the bark of ash trees within two weeks of emerging.
After about a week or two, the larvae hatch and tunnel into the tree, disrupting its vascular system and ultimately killing the tree.
5. Spongy Moth
Spongy moth (formerly Gypsy moth) caterpillars feed on over 500 species of trees and shrubs. They can grow up to two inches and feature a hairy body with a beige head. The caterpillars defoliate trees at an alarming rate, even defoliating entire trees as they increase in size.
Protecting Your Trees From Pests in Oregon
Focusing your efforts on prevention rather than waiting for the obvious signs of a pest infestation, including tree eating pests, can help protect your trees and minimize the need for tree removal. Learning about the most common tree pests makes it easier to prepare for how to handle them.
Besides planting tree varieties that will stand up to the most common pests in Oregon, other pest control methods include proper pruning, sprays and traps, and keeping the surrounding area clean. Always seek professional advice from a local certified arborist.
Get in Touch with Your Local Tree Experts
Oregon Arborist, LLC provides long-term, cost-effective management of your trees and property. Count on us for the following comprehensive tree services:
- Tree trimming and pruning
- Tree removal
- Stump grinding
- Emergency tree services
Call us at (503) 899-4166 to request a free quote for service in McMinnville, Oregon. Reach out for more answers to the questions, “What’s eating my tree?”, “How to get rid of black fungus on trees” or “Can ants kill a tree?”