Question
Bug
I just received an answer from Steve, which I'll try and afix below. In the meantime he asked me to send in a photo of a bug we see often, and had wondered if this bug was related to our tree's leaves falling throughout the spring, summer and fall.
--------------------"We've had issues with this tree for years, but now that we have a beautiful new deck we'd really like to use it without having to blow the deck clean several times a day. Our tree makes a mess straight through from spring to when all the leaves are gone. the leaf drop is diffuse, so there's no one branch or area that loses all its leaves. The ones that come off have at least some yellow on them. We notice the deck gets an awful lot of tiny (gnat-sized) green bugs and wonder if it's these insects that are doing the damage. I've read articles about leaves coming off locust trees late in the summer, as a means to conserve water, but haven't found anything that addresses our issue. Do you have any advice? We're being barraged by leaves, and our new deck is calling us!!"
Answer: "Hi Debbie;
If you are concerned about the insects, try to take a closeup photo and send to me. Try to get as close as you can, then review your images on your computer to be sure that it is in focus, then send. I have a "bug expert" next to my office that may be able to ID. On the leaf drop, leaf shed can occur if the tree gets thirsty enough, so you may have to consider some supplemental water to keep the leaves on. This is especially true of some birches and willows.
Regards
Steve "
AnswerHi Steve, SYMPTOMS
Feeding by the honey locust plant bug results in severe leaf distortion, dwarfed leaflets, chlorosis, and yellow-to-brown spots. Irregular holes may result when dead tissue falls out of the infected leaves. Heavy plant bug infestations may cause premature leaf drop, but typically a second flush of leaves is produced. Despite the damage to the foliage, tree death rarely occurs. Unfortunately, the honey locust plant bug is an unpredictable pest because weather conditions influence the bug抯 survival and activity. An outbreak one year does not ensure an outbreak in subsequent years. I suggest checking out Atomic Grow to bring your tree back to health. I would drench the root area and then spray it once a week for three weeks and then a monthly spray to keep it at it peak. kathy
