QuestionI have 7-8 large maple trees. Two-three of them have sparse leaves that are prematurely turning red. When a branch broke off in a storm we saw white larvae and ants in the broken area. I am not sure if the ants came from the larvae or not. I am very concerned about the health of the trees and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
AnswerI would fertilize them with 10-10-10 fertilizer at the rate of 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter scattered around the tree and watered in good. Do this now and again in the spring. This should increase the health of the tree so that it can fight off any insect or disease problems. The ants are not a problem. If the branch was hollow the tree may have a decay fungi growing in the woody cells. these fungi enter through a wound in the trunk and can decay the woody cells causing the tree to become hollow but this or the fungi will not infect the living cells and will not really reduce the overall health of the tree. When a tree become hollow several insects like ants will make their nest in the decayed wood but they will not harm the tree. the fertilizer will strengthen the tree. trees can live many, many years as hollow tree. As long as the foliage is good the tree is ok--the fertilizer should increase the foliage next spring.
