There are many factors that can contribute to the downfall of your trees and shrubs in New Haven, but being prepared for an infestation is crucial to your plant's survival. With the help of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, you’ll learn about the most common insects and diseases, the damage done to your trees, signs and symptoms, preventative measures, and what to do if you find yourself in the middle of an infestation. Keep reading to know what to look out for.
Insects to Look Out for in New Haven
Gypsy Moth
The Gypsy Moth is known for the destruction it causes to trees. Though this insect favors oaks, it doesn’t discriminate and will feed on most species of trees in the area. In their larvae phase,
they have an insatiable urge to consume leaves. During an outbreak, they can appear in large numbers and are sure to strip trees down to nothing around this time of year. Not only are they harmful to your trees, but they are an inescapable nuisance. You will likely find them taking up space on your lawn as they fall from your trees. Did you know that gypsy moths are more than capable of feeding on over 300 various types of trees and plants? The University of Minnesota has helped us to identify this insect. While the female gypsy moth is white in color with light brown detailing on its wings, the male moth has a dark brown body, with detailing ranging from light brown to black. Females are also one to two inches in length and do not have the ability to fly, whereas males are just a bit smaller in size.
Japanese Beetle
The Japanese Beetle is a serious pest to plants, and just like the gypsy moth, will feed on hundreds of plant species. They usually eat around the veins of foliage, leaving them looking like skeletons. These beetles are most active in hot and sunny weather and do the most damage during the daytime. Look out for your roses, tomatoes, fruit trees, corn, and other shrubs– these are some of their favorite snacks. When working in large numbers, they can very quickly leave your plants bare.
A full-grown Japanese beetle is half an inch in length and appears to be a shiny-green color, with wing covers that resemble a copper color. This insect tends to be more stocky and should have a row of white spots along the sides of its abdomen. Males and females will look extremely similar, only males will be smaller in size. If you find skeleton-like leaves in your yard, you are likely under attack by these creatures. Adult Japanese beetles are also very easy to spot with the naked eye.
This beetle isn’t too fond of red maple, northern red oak, magnolia, dogwood, or boxwood, so keep this in mind next time you go plant shopping. Ensuring your yard is well-maintained will also lessen the chances of an infestation. You certainly don’t want to give them a reason to choose your yard as its next victim.
Diseases That Cause Damage to your Trees
Now that you’ve learned about the most common insects that cause destruction to your plants, let’s talk about diseases.
Chestnut Blight
Chestnut Blight is extremely common in Connecticut and will infect branches, leaving the stems to die. This disease was imported from Asia and has spread rapidly with significant tree loss as
a result. It mostly infects American Chestnut trees by entering through wounds, growing beneath the bark, and eventually killing the plant tissue altogether. Look for reddish-brown bark patches– these will eventually develop into sunken cankers that kill off twigs and limbs. Leaves of branches that have been affected will turn brown and wither away, but will actually remain attached before the tree eventually dies.
Treating Chestnut Blight is extremely difficult, and it is recommended to avoid planting chestnut trees altogether. However, you can take preventative measures by contacting your local tree and shrub care experts.
Beech Leaf Disease
Beech Leaf Disease is now a major problem in Connecticut. It can kill off trees within just a couple of years of infestation. The younger the tree, the more likely it is that it will be impacted by the disease. You will be able to identify this disease by the dark stripes taking over the leaves, which will look like a distinct color contrast between two greens; This symptom will appear in the spring when the leaves are formed. Such a nuisance will cause leaves to drop prematurely, canopies to thin, and plants to be more susceptible to other pests.
The spread of this disease can be prevented by avoiding the movement of your plants and monitoring your trees closely for signs. By moving an infected tree, you are more likely to spread the disease, which will devastate new areas.
For the Ultimate Protection and Health of Your Trees, Get Tree and Shrub Care With Naturally Green Lawn Care
If you are worried you might have fallen victim to any of the diseases or insects outlined above, you have options. At Naturally Green Lawn Care, we offer tree and shrub care services in New Haven, CT, because we care about your trees.
We specialize in insect and disease control and will send our professional arborists to inspect your trees and shrubs for damage. We can help by prescribing a treatment that is sure to eliminate these issues and strengthen the overall health of the plant. Contact us here by filling out this form, or get an instant quote. Don’t want to wait? Call us at (203) 230-9212, and take control now!