This year, the damage caused by Gypsy Moth Caterpillars was wide spread; many trees were ravaged in a matter of days. Following leaf loss due to Gypsy Moth Caterpillars, trees are under a great amount of stress and are more susceptible to damage from the drought of high temperature, dry summer days and secondary insect or disease damage. Root Rot, Canker Disease, Borers, and various bark Beetles, including the Japanese Beetle, may further damage trees when weakened by Gypsy Moth damage.
Symptoms of Stress
Early leaf fall
Leaf wilt or discolouration
Fewer, smaller leaves in the following Spring
Dieback of top branches and, eventually, the death of the tree
Trees release chemical signals when under stress that attract insects that benefit from inflicting further damage and attack trees for their resources.
When a tree is healthy, it is able to naturally generate compounds to deter harmful insects. When a tree has to use its resources to regenerate damaged tissues, it is unable to naturally defend itself. Tree damage and stress compounds as the less healthy a tree becomes, the more susceptible it is to further damage.
Depending on the health and maturity of individual trees prior to being defoliated, the damage done may be heavy or even fatal. When the Gypsy Moth defoliates a tree that is already under considerable stress from other causes, the tree may die relatively promptly. When the Gypsy Moth attacks an otherwise vigorous tree, the tree may be attacked by a secondary organism before it has a chance to recover its vigor during the following several growing seasons.
One effect of defoliation is a substantial decrease in the amount of food reserves stored in the tree. These reserves - ordinarily stored as starch in the roots of broad-leaved deciduous trees and, to a certain extent, in those of evergreen conifers - maintain the tree’s life processes during winter dormancy and times of defoliation, when little or no food is produced. They also provide the energy and substance necessary when a new set of leaves is being put out, whether in early spring or at a less usual time.
Each individual tree may decide to use those reserves stores or not but ensuring that the surrounding soil is rich with essential nutrients and Plant Health Boosters is the most effective way to preserve the health of your tree.
How to Best Care for a Stressed Tree
1) Watering
Young Trees - Roughly 20 Liters twice per week
Mature Trees - Watering roughly 1-1.5” around the dripline once per week
Water in morning or evening to replace water lost in peak heat and when tree loses less water due to evaporation.
2) Deep Root Fertilization
Deep Root Fertilization is a slow release annual NPK micronutrient blend with added chelates, depending on specific needs, to aid in proper vigor as well as colouring. Additionally, Mycorrhizal fungus are added to enable roots to grow thicker and absorb more water and nutrient content.
The addition of abundant nutrients, and Plant Health Boosters, aid in the trees recovery from stress due to insect damage caused by Gypsy Moth Caterpillars (as well as drought and poor environmental conditions). Deep Root Fertilization enables faster recovery and faster, thicker, more abundant growth.
The product is applied by pressurized probe at a depth of 6-18 Inches at a pressure of 200 PSI. Trees fertilized by this process are more resistant to disease and stress. Under healthy soil and environmental conditions, the trees will grow up to 30% taller, faster and fuller.
In addition to supplying a surplus of nutrients directly to the vicinity of tree and shrub feeder roots, the specific pressure aids in the de-compaction of sub soils. This provides similar benefits to your trees’ root systems as does lawn aeration - including improved circulation of water and air.
If you would like more information on caring for your trees, don’t hesitate to reach out to the GreenFox Customer Care Team.
Thank you for your business and for enabling our team to take care of the people who take care of their trees.
Cory Kloepfer
Head of Sales
416 938 0479