Many trees in our area, especially the beautiful weeping cherry, were hit hard this winter by the winter moth insect. The winter moth is an insect pest that was introduced to North America from Europe. Its introduction has been known for years in various regions of eastern Canada.   Winter moth was introduced into the United States and is now in Massachusetts in outbreak proportions.  However, many different deciduous plants are susceptible. These include: oaks, maples, basswood, ash, crabapples, apple, blueberry, and certain spruces.  Young larvae (caterpillars) are tiny inchworms that tunnel into buds where they feed from bud to bud. Delayed bud opening due to cool weather conditions can lead to bud death as the caterpillars have longer time to feed. Older larvae feed in the expanding leaf clusters and are capable of creating defoliation in high populations. Research in Canada has shown that four consecutive years of partial defoliation due to the moth can lead to branch mortality while complete defoliation in each of those years leads to tree mortality. Trees damaged or defoliated by the winter moth will benefit from an application of Tree Tech’s organic fertilizer and bio-stimulants.  Deep watering during dry periods and Tree Tech’s special methods of recovery will help save the trees that matter so much to you and our environment!

Tree Tech’s certified arborists are dedicated to the care and preservation of trees and shrubs. Our fleet of equipment and trained arborists are able deliver a full range of tree services including tree preservation, tree trimming, cutting and tree removal. Tree Tech also provides land clearing, plus tree and shrub fertilizing, insect and disease control services.