When you admire the beautiful oaks, sweetgums, and ash trees in your yard, you might think they can withstand anything. Sadly, some of the smallest creatures can cause the most damage to the beautiful trees on your property. If you suspect your trees are at risk, don’t wait to call the certified arborists at Arthur Ratliff Tree & Stump Removal. Read this guide to learn more about dangerous invasive species and local pests in Missouri, and how to spot them.
Bagworms are a type of moth native to North America. Caterpillars will attach themselves to branches of small trees to conceal the silken bag that they grow in. The caterpillar will grow through the winter and finally hatch late in the spring. These pests can defoliate an entire small tree if left unchecked. To get rid of these pests, you can remove the bags from trees before spring and handpick the caterpillars during the summer and drop them into soapy water. Checking trees on your property for defoliation and dead branches is especially important as winter approaches. Ice storms will weigh down dead branches, causing them to fall off and damage your property. If you notice a tree needs pruning, contact us today for a free estimate.
The Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive species that poses a huge threat to North American ash trees. These types of trees are extremely popular for lining roads and in neighborhoods, as they are quick-growing shade trees. Once the Emerald Ash Borer has killed an ash tree, the dead standing trees can pose a threat to public safety, your home, and can be costly to remove. You can spot the signs of an Emerald Ash Borer by a distinctive D-shaped hole in the bark of an ash tree and tunneling inside of the tree caused by larvae.
Gypsy moths were first found in Missouri in 1974 when the first male Gypsy moth was caught northwest of Springfield. Gypsy moths pose a threat to a wide variety of trees in Missouri, as they feed on over 300 types of trees. Because of the wide range of trees that Gypsy moths will consume, it is important to be on the lookout for them. Gypsy moths defoliate trees, similar to Bagworms, and can cause tree mortality after successive years of defoliation. A dead tree can cause a lot of problems for you and your property. If you notice any dead trees on your property that need to be removed, call one of our certified arborists to hear about what we can do for you.
While Thousand Cankers Disease has not been identified in Missouri, it poses a serious threat to the native eastern black walnut tree. This tree is extremely important to Missouri, with Missouri having twice as many black walnut trees in our national forests as any other state. TCD affects trees by disrupting the flow of nutrients throughout the tree, eventually causing tree death. TCD can be identified by leaves on the upper branches of the tree turning yellow, wilting, and eventually dying.
