GLOBS OF SAP ON PINE TREES

An often unnoticed insect pest that attacks pine trees is the Zimmerman pine moth. This tree borer often goes undetected because homeowners don’t think that the sap on the trunk of their pine tree is unusual. Another problem with finding Zimmerman pine moth damage is that the foliage of the pine tree conceals the damage from view.

Zimmerman pine moth isn’t as damaging as some tree borers in Michigan, but the feeding does disrupt the vascular system of the tree. Because this borer is often present where branches meet the trunk it is not unusual to have pine branches break because of Zimmerman pine moth feeding.

Spraying to control Zimmerman pine moth is done early in the spring. Most borer sprays for this tree insect are done in April, sometimes treatments can extend into early May if we have a cool spring.

You can learn more about Zimmerman pine moth at:
http://www.owentree.com/Zimmerman_Pine_Moth.php

Zimmerman pine moth damage on white pine tree

2016 FOREST HEALTH REPORT

The Michigan DNR has released an updated report on the health of Michigan’s forests. The report includes threats that could come from insect and disease pests.

While some of the pests discussed aren’t common in the landscape, there are several that could affect your landscape trees. Hemlock woolly adelgid, oak wilt and Asian longhorned beetle are three pests everyone in Michigan should be aware of and on the lookout for.

The report can be found at: http://www.michigan.gov/foresthealth

OAK WILT FOUND IN DETROIT

 The discovery of  oak wilt on Belle Isle in Detroit emphasizes the need to prune your oak trees during the dormant season.

Oak Wilt found in Detroit

STRIPPERS FOUND IN TREES

It’s late winter, the ground is frozen, and it #$%& COLD! The deep snow doesn’t help things either when it comes to finding a food source. That’s when we take to the trees and start stripping. That’s right we strip off as much as we need to get to get the job done. We don’t usually take it all off just enough here and there to fill our everyday needs.

So, if you’re interested in seeing this late winter festivity, all you’ve got to do is come over to our neighborhood forest and look up. There we’ll be, doing our thing, stripping in the trees.

Now, of course, you really didn’t think you would see someone actually stripping, did you? What you will see is something being stripped. That’s right; the trees are being stripped of their bark for the nutrients found under it. This is where the trees grow from and the inner bark contains nutrients that can sustain us for the rest of the winter - or at least until people start filling their bird feeders again.

Yours truly,

Mr. Squirrel

                    Squirrels have caused substiantial damage to this sugar maple tree.

                     Squirrel chewing is going to cause many of these sugar maple branches to die.