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#1
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Ash tree
I have a dumb question...we have an ash tree that hangs over our deck. Every
year at this time, the deck is covered in coffee ground looking stuff falling from the tree. At the same time, there are at least a billion little green caterpillars/worms munching away at the leaves. I think the coffee ground stuff is caterpillar poop...hubby thinks it's from the tree itself, and that's why they call it an ash tree. (either that or he just told me that to keep me from being disgusted about caterpillar poop) so, can anyone tell me, do ash trees drop some sort of "ash" ? or am I right in my caterpillar theory? another question....how do you rid the tree of the things? it's a mature tree, was here when we bought the house, so all I know is it's an ash and it's big. I figured the only way to get rid of them is to spray with something...but how do you spray a tree that big? or is it a lost cause and we just have to deal with the squirmers every year? pam |
#3
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Ash tree
My experience has been that tent catepillars certainly drop enough poop from
highly infested trees to be noticed... on quiet windless days you can hear the gentle patter all around you. Bleh! You would need to positively identify the pest before eradication could be suggested. Dave "PRHD" wrote in message ... I have a dumb question...we have an ash tree that hangs over our deck. Every year at this time, the deck is covered in coffee ground looking stuff falling from the tree. At the same time, there are at least a billion little green caterpillars/worms munching away at the leaves. I think the coffee ground stuff is caterpillar poop...hubby thinks it's from the tree itself, and that's why they call it an ash tree. (either that or he just told me that to keep me from being disgusted about caterpillar poop) so, can anyone tell me, do ash trees drop some sort of "ash" ? or am I right in my caterpillar theory? another question....how do you rid the tree of the things? it's a mature tree, was here when we bought the house, so all I know is it's an ash and it's big. I figured the only way to get rid of them is to spray with something...but how do you spray a tree that big? or is it a lost cause and we just have to deal with the squirmers every year? pam |
#4
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Ash tree
Sounds like caterpillar poop to me. It would be good to identify the type
of caterpillar you are dealing with. You could call your local extension agent, or take a specimen to a garden center (not a big box store)--they often have someone on staff who will know, or will look it up for you. In general, caterpillars can be controlled by spraying with Bt. This is a type of bacteria that is only toxic to caterpillars. They need to eat a from a treated leaf; they stop feeding and die in a few days. On a large tree it's difficult to spray all the surfaces, but you can still make a big dent in the population. I feel Bt is a good product for certain situations; however, it is important to realize that is it indiscriminate in which caterpillars it kills--monarch and swallowtail butterfly larvae are just as susceptible as webworms. So when I use it I am careful to do it when it's not windy, to minimize drifting, and to aim carefully. I treat a locust tree that overhangs my deck for webworms, but choose not to treat trees around the perimeter of the property where I might be putting butterflies at risk. Cheers, Sue Zone 6, Southcentral PA "PRHD" wrote in message ... I have a dumb question...we have an ash tree that hangs over our deck. Every year at this time, the deck is covered in coffee ground looking stuff falling from the tree. At the same time, there are at least a billion little green caterpillars/worms munching away at the leaves. I think the coffee ground stuff is caterpillar poop...hubby thinks it's from the tree itself, and that's why they call it an ash tree. (either that or he just told me that to keep me from being disgusted about caterpillar poop) so, can anyone tell me, do ash trees drop some sort of "ash" ? or am I right in my caterpillar theory? another question....how do you rid the tree of the things? it's a mature tree, was here when we bought the house, so all I know is it's an ash and it's big. I figured the only way to get rid of them is to spray with something...but how do you spray a tree that big? or is it a lost cause and we just have to deal with the squirmers every year? pam |
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