Tree Care: Checking Your Trees for Pest Insects

A guide on what to look for when examining trees for any signs of pest insect infestation

Trees are essential to our lives—we rely on them for shade and oxygen. But trees are not without enemies, and the most common among them are pest insects. These pests can wreak havoc on trees, causing unnecessary stress and damage. You may not be able to prevent pests from attacking your trees, but you can take steps to help your trees survive.

Outline:

● Symptoms of Pest Insect Infestation

○ Bud Drop

○ Presence of Webs

○ Bark Chewing

● Common Tree Pest Insects in Waco, TX

○ Borers

○ Suckers

○ Stipplers

○ Chewers

○ Gall Makers

● Tree Service in Waco, TX

Symptoms of Pest Insect Infestation

It's hard to tell when a pest insect problem starts, especially since the first signs are often small and hard to spot. But with mindful attention to your trees, you can learn to spot these subtle signs. Here are some things to look for:

Bud Drop

Bud drop can be one telltale sign of an infestation. Bud drop occurs when buds fail to open up due to factors like lack of light, disease, and more—but it's also an indicator that something might be chewing on them.

Presence of Webs

Another way pests will leave their mark on trees is by creating webs around trunks and branches (especially Hackberry trees). If you see little webs strewn about your tree trunks and branches, it's a sure sign that something is living in or on your trees that needs to be removed.

Bark Chewing

If you look at the bark of your trees, particularly Ash trees, and notice holes in them, then that's another sign that you have a pest infestation. These holes are often circular or semicircular and are about the size of a pencil eraser. They may be shallow or deep and can range from small to large depending on what type of pest is doing the chewing.

If you observe any of these symptoms, it is time to contact a tree service company or a certified arborist. These professionals can help determine what type of insect is causing the damage and recommend the most appropriate course of action that you can take.

If you're in Waco, Hewitt, Woodway, Robinson, or the nearby areas, you can call 3rd Day Tree Service at (214) 497-6226. We offer a free inspection and consultation, and we also provide free quotes.

Common Tree Pest Insects in Waco, TX

Pest insects can infest your trees at any time of year, and they can be very harmful to the health of your trees. Some pests can even carry diseases or produce toxins harmful to humans.

Pest insects are commonly categorized as borers, suckers, stipplers, chewers, or gall makers.

Borers

Borers are insects that burrow into trees, usually near the base. These insects can cause significant damage and weaken the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. As borers tunnel through a tree, they leave behind distinctive circular holes ranging from small to large depending on what type of insect is digging. Examples of borers are the Cottonwood Borer, Gum Bumelia Borer, and the Emerald Ash Borer.

Suckers

Suckers are small, usually soft bodied insects that feed on the cellulose of leaf and shoot tissue. Chewers are insects that feed on woody parts of trees, such as twigs, branches, and trunks. These pests usually leave telltale signs, such as holes in leaves where they have chewed through. Examples of suckers are aphids and scales.

Stipplers

Stipplers are small, black dots that appear on the leaves of trees. They may also be found on fruit trees and rarely on flowers. These pests feed by sucking out plant juices and can cause damage by causing leaves to wilt or turn brown prematurely. The two most common stipplers in Central Texas are the lace bugs and the spider mites. Lace Bugs feed on Sycamore, Hackberry, Walnut, and Oak, while Spider Mites prefer to feed on the Italian Cypress more.

Chewers

Chewers are insects that feed on leaves. Insects that chew on trees are often the most destructive; common examples are bagworms and tent caterpillars. Bagworms live in "bags" made of leaves, while tent caterpillars form nests in the crotches of trees. Both can cause tip dieback, and large populations are detrimental to trees.

Gall Makers

Gall-making insects are categorized as such because of the abnormal bumps or balls that they make on twigs and leaves. The bumps, or balls, are actually formed when an insect lays eggs in a tree and the larvae start to develop inside. The type of gall depends on which species of insect is laying its eggs; some galls can be beneficial because they contain nutrients that other organisms can use. The two most common gall-making insects in Central Texas are the Oak Apple Gall and the Hackberry Nipple Gall.

Tree Service in Waco, TX

We hope that the knowledge we've shared here will help you keep your trees free of insect damage. If you see any of the pests described above, don't delay in seeking out professional help. Not only can they cause damage to the overall health of your trees, but they also pose a danger to humans and pets that come into contact with them.

If you are concerned that you may have an infestation of a tree pest, it is important to contact a professional arborist. For the best tree service company in Waco, TX, call us at 3rd Day Tree Service. We are a full-service tree company serving Waco, Texas, and nearby areas. We also have an ISA Certified Arborist on our team, so you can be confident that we're good at plant health care.

Aside from pest control, we also offer other tree services, including tree trimming, tree removal, stump grinding, tree installation, and tree growth regulator application. We also provide round-the-clock emergency tree services for situations that demand urgent attention. Contact us today at (214) 497-6226 to get your free quote or to talk with our resident arborist.