I do not have your answer however here is some info.
--
Many tree problems are associated with the following: They are Case
Sensitive.
Troubles in the Rhizosphere
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/shigo/RHIZO.html
Unhealthy Trees from the Nursery / Improper Planting
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman/sub1.html
and
Look up "Tree Planting"
http://www.treedictionary.com
Improper Mulching -
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman/sub3.html
and
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/M/ Look up "Mulch"
Improper Pruning
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/tree_pruning
Improper Fertilization (See A Touch of Chemistry)
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/shigo/CHEM.html
Tree Farming and Related Problems
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/SOUND/
Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Arborist
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
and
www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us
that we are not the boss.
"helco" wrote in message
m...
The leaves of a redtwig dogwood started showing small holes, and now some
of the leaves are totally eaten out and dead. They're littered with the
bodies of very small white winged insects. The undersides of a few leaves
are covered with worms (larvae?), many of them lying flat in adjacent
perfect little 1/4-inch spirals that would be a nice pattern if they
weren't a nasty moist pale gray with a mildewy look. Some of them are
stretching out and wriggling, though. Very high yuk factor.
1. What is this?
2. What kind of measures should I take to get rid of them? (I'd prefer
not to spray.) If I just cut off the branches with the larvae, will the
plant have the same problem next year? (I live in E. Central Illinois, so
we're sure to have some good freezes.)
3. Have the insects finished their life cycle for this year, or will
there be more waves of them laying their eggs?
4. Will this infestation ultimately destroy the redtwig, or will it just
play itself out this year, even if I do nothing beyond cutting off the
infested branches?
5. There's an aggressive gourd plant next to the dogwood (planted itself
from a decorative gourd from last Halloween), and somehow the flying
insects seem to belong there. I've lots of other redtwigs, but this is
the first I've ever seen this kind of infestation.
Thanks,
helco