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The Arbor Matters Newsletter         

June 2015
In This Issue
Pine Diseases are in the Air
Bag worms are on the Rise
Spring Rain and Summer Heat = Bugs!
The Best Plants for Your Landscape
Spring Rain and Summer Heat = Bugs! 
The tick, chigger and flea population has increased with the recent rains
 

May and June 2015 are considered the wettest months on record for many parts of the U.S. The rain coupled with cooler than normal temperatures held back many of the landscape pests normally seen in May. With temperatures warming up in the next few weeks, expect to see an overabundance of fleas, ticks, and chiggers in your landscape. These insect bites can cause discomfort to you, your family and pets and in some cases, carry disease.

  

These pests can be controlled. Insecticides can be used on the lawn to control fleas and reduce the risk of infection on your pets. Chiggers and ticks should be treated with an acaricide (pesticide) that is most effective against ticks and chiggers. Keep your family and pets free from outdoor pests this summer. Contact your local Arbor Masters® to learn more about our pest control programs.


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Pine Diseases are in the Air   
 
Certified Arborist Laura Peterson inspects a pine for needle tip disease
 

Our Certified Arborists have seen a number of pines in the
Kansas City Metro area suffering from pine diseases. There are a number of possible culprits that can cause browning or even death to your pine trees.

 

Pine wilt, tip blight (Diplodia) and needle blight (Dothistroma) are common pine tree ailments. Each of these diseases targets the more common pines found in the Midwest; Austrian, Scots, Mugo and Ponderosa.  Click here to read more about protecting your pines from disease.   

Bagworms Are on the Rise!  
     
A bagworm sack hangs off the branch of a pine tree They're back! Bagworms are in full swing and invading trees and shrubs alike. Bagworms appear as small cocoon like bags that hang off of tree and shrub branches. These little cocoons or bagworm sacks can contain anywhere from five hundred to a thousand eggs which hatch in the early summer. As soon as they hatch, the larvae will create a cocoon or bag using silk and bits of leaves and twigs from the host plant to protect them from predators while they feed on their host.       
Bagworms are found on a wide variety of trees and shrubs such as sweet gum, maple, honey locust, crab apple, sycamore and black cypress trees. Evergreens that are most susceptible to bagworm damage are arborvitae, blue spruce, cedars, junipers, Norway spruce, and white pine.

Heavy infestations on evergreen trees and shrubs may cause extensive defoliation and even death of the tree or shrub. In regards to deciduous plants, bagworms can strip the leaves, altering the plants appearance and health while slowing growth. While deciduous trees can regrow leaves fairly quickly, evergreens that have been infected with bagworms have a difficult time surviving an infestation.

While bagworms have some natural enemies such as wasps and bees, that may not be enough to control the infestation and an insecticide application may be required. The best time to apply the insecticide is after the eggs have hatched and the larvae begin feeding on the tree or plant. If you think your trees or shrubs may be suffering from bagworms, contact your local Arbor Masters® and let us help you send those bagworms packing! 
The Best Plants for Your Landscape
Let Arbor Masters® help you find the best annuals and perennials for your landscape. We offer plants that grow well in both Midwest and Southwest zones. Our featured perennial this month is the azalea shrub.
low maintenance Azaleas add a pop of color to your landscape
The beautiful azalea shrub will provide your landscape with vibrant colored flowers and blooms from spring through July. They come in a wide range of colors which include white, coral, purple, pink and red. A member of the Rhododendron family, this slow growing deciduous shrub does best planted in areas with minimal sunlight. They prefer moist, acidic, well-drained soil and will benefit from a good layer of mulch (such as pine straw) to retain moisture and protect its root system. Prune to shape or remove dead branches after the shrub has bloomed.  


Azaleas require little maintenance and have very few insect or disease issues.  
Arbor Masters®
Kansas City ● Oklahoma City ● Tulsa ● Wichita ● Dallas/Ft. Worth

800-256-4193 


Send your comments and suggestions for The Arbor Matters Newsletter to info@arbormasters.com  
    Tree Care Industry Associate Arbor Masters, 50 Years and Growing! International Society of Arboriculture