Protect your trees by learning to recognize signs of bugs that can harm your trees in Georgia
It’s heartbreaking when the beloved trees in your landscape fall victim to pests and diseases. You can prevent damage by learning to identify a distressed tree and what is attacking it. Here we introduce the top two bugs that can harm your trees in Georgia, so you can stop damage and help your trees thrive. Your trees are a living investment, and you should have confidence in their care. Ed Castro Landscape is Atlanta’s award-winning design/build landscape firm dedicated to environmental stewardship and community values. We create outdoor spaces for clients and budgets. We also offer enhancement and maintenance services, including expert tree care.
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Bugs That Can Harm Your Trees in Georgia
1. Pine Bark Beetle
Pine bark beetles are one of Georgia’s most destructive insects affecting pine trees. They can be found attacking trees across all the regions of the state.
There are several varieties of pine bark beetle, including:
- Southern Pine Beetle
- Black Turpentine Beetle
- Engraver Beetle
Pine bark beetles attack all species of southern yellow pines and are incredibly destructive in crowded stands. If your property boasts a beautiful stand of yellow pine, be on the lookout for the following signs of distress:
- Dust from insects boring beneath the bark to feed and lay eggs.
- Needles that quickly dry up, turning yellow, red, then brown.
If you think your pines may have an infestation, call your landscaping experts immediately to stop the damage from spreading.
2. Invasive Emerald Ash Borer
Among the worst bugs that can harm your trees in Georgia is the non-native Emerald Ash Borer. These aggressive pests can circumvent the tree’s natural defenses because they have lived outside its natural habitat.
Your Georgia trees have evolved thousands of years to fend off natural predators and diseases, but the EAB surprises their defenses. These metallic-green insects are effective at devastating even healthy and vigorous young trees. Larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, which destroys the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients.
Look for the following signs of infestation:
- Canopy dieback, which spreads quickly until the tree is bare of foliage
- Woodpecker activity, including large holes where they have foraged larvae
- Bulging areas of bark with vertical splitting over areas housing larvae
- D-Shaped exit holes from mature insects leaving the tree
Since 2017 there has been regulation across Georgia to restrict the transportation of the Emerald Ash Beetle. If you may have them on your property, act fast to prevent their spread.
Opt for preventative care
The best treatment against any bugs that can harm your trees in Georgia is to prevent them. The trees and shrubs in your landscape are an investment that you must protect. Support your trees by promoting their health. A healthy tree can better fend off insects, including the fungus and diseases they can carry. When appropriate, treat your trees with preventative, supportive solutions. Have your trees properly pruned to promote growth and attractive shape. Most importantly, have dead, dying, and infested trees removed and destroyed promptly.
ECL is your tree care company
Fall and winter are great times for your landscaping professionals to care for the trees on your residential or commercial property by tackling everything from pruning to fertilization. While trees are dormant, there is expert care that can go into a vibrant spring ahead. No matter the time of year, call ECL for your gardening and landscaping needs and enjoy beautiful results.
Call (770) 998-8444 or use our online contact form for more information.
Source: Georgia Tree Care
Photo by Katharina von Knobloch on Unsplash