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As we venture into the later parts of winter, trees across North Idaho face a variety of pests and diseases as they move from dormancy into the early stages of spring growth. Last week, I discussed the pesky voles and the problems they pose to younger trees and plants that aren’t fully established. This week, we will dive a little further into other pests and diseases that may present themselves in late winter and early spring. These are particularly important times for monitoring tree health, because many insects begin emerging from overwintering sites and several diseases take advantage of cool, wet conditions to spread. Property owners and tree care professionals who recognize the early warning signs can often prevent more serious damage later in the season.

One of the most significant insect threats in the region is bark beetles. These small insects commonly attack conifer species such as ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir and grand-fir. Bark beetles often target trees that are already stressed by drought, storm damage or construction injury. In early spring, we watch for pitch tubes — small globs of resin and debris on the bark — as well as fine sawdust, known as frass, around the base of the tree and in the bark furrows. Removing damaged trees or storm debris before beetle flight begins in spring can help reduce the likelihood of infestations.

Another insect sometimes seen in early spring is the red turpentine beetle. This pest also targets pine trees but generally attacks weakened trees near the base of the trunk. It produces large reddish pitch masses on the lower portion of the bark. While it can contribute to decline in stressed trees, it rarely kills healthy trees by itself.

As deciduous trees begin to leaf out, small sap-feeding insects such as aphids and leafhoppers may appear. These insects feed on the juices within leaves and tender shoots. Their feeding can cause yellowing foliage and leave behind sticky honeydew, which often leads to the growth of dark sooty mold on leaves and surfaces beneath the tree.

In addition to insects, several diseases become active during the cool, moist conditions of spring. Anthracnose is a fungal disease that commonly affects maples, ash and other hardwood trees. It causes dark blotches on leaves and may lead to early leaf drop during particularly wet springs. Another concern for fruit trees and ornamentals is fire blight, a bacterial disease in species within the rose family that causes branch tips to blacken and curl into a distinctive shepherd’s-crook shape.

There truly is an overwhelming amount of pests, diseases, fungi and disorders that can have a large affect on your trees. We strongly encourage being proactive in your tree health, and the best course of action would be to have an estimator come out for a consultation or a quote on your landscape. If you would like to schedule one of our certified arborists, please give us a call today, 208-762-5800!

For more information on Grace Tree Service, check out our website at gracetreeservice.com.