Spotted Lantern flies - Ask Extension
I live in baltimore city in Fells Pointthere are two large - at least 40 yrs old ailanthus trees in my not very large backyard!
There arr also teo v...
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Spotted Lantern flies #861523
Asked March 14, 2024, 10:00 PM EDT
I live in baltimore city in Fells Pointthere are two large - at least 40 yrs old ailanthus trees in my not very large backyard!
There arr also teo very old grape vines and a Japanese maple. I have some other plant- rose bushes hydrangeas a lilac bush and a river birch about 25 ft high as well
Which sits under one of the ailanthus and maybe partially under the second.
Should i cut down the ailanthus trees or st least one. Last summer the grape vines, hydrangeas! Maple tree as well as furniture had sticky black residue on them.
Whst is the best thing to do. I understand they hibernate/breed?? on/in the ailanthus!
If i remove the ailanthus i understand thst should happen very soon!
Thank yoi
Baltimore City County Maryland
Expert Response
If you are sure that it is Ailanthus, a.k.a. Tree of Heaven, then yes, it would be recommended you remove the tree but
* don't cut it down*. They are challenging trees to control that don't respond like most trees in that if you cut it, injured trees send out additional root suckers in all directions and soon you have a plantation of them.
You want to kill it before removal. Control of established trees can be done by a 'hack-n-squirt method of damaging the bark at intervals and applying herbicide into the wounds- which needs to be done in mid- July through autumn color so that the herbicide is translocated to the roots system (trees can be cut 30 days later). You may still need to follow up the following season or two for complete eradication, and keep an eye out for seeds that may germinate and pull them early.
Here is our page to learn more:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/tree-heaven/
Given the size of your trees removal (and perhaps treatment) would be best done by professionals- but make sure they know the above information.
Christine
* don't cut it down*. They are challenging trees to control that don't respond like most trees in that if you cut it, injured trees send out additional root suckers in all directions and soon you have a plantation of them.
You want to kill it before removal. Control of established trees can be done by a 'hack-n-squirt method of damaging the bark at intervals and applying herbicide into the wounds- which needs to be done in mid- July through autumn color so that the herbicide is translocated to the roots system (trees can be cut 30 days later). You may still need to follow up the following season or two for complete eradication, and keep an eye out for seeds that may germinate and pull them early.
Here is our page to learn more:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/tree-heaven/
Given the size of your trees removal (and perhaps treatment) would be best done by professionals- but make sure they know the above information.
Christine
Thank you
However by then won’t the lantern flies have secreted their black sticky ooze on my two grapevines, maple tree, rose bushes and other plants in yard such as hydrangeas etc
My yard is about 30’ d and 40’ w, the two ailanthus at least 40’ tall and under one is a river birch.!
myrna
On Mar 15, 2024, at 11:30 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Spotted Lanternflies are a type of sucking insect that eat sap and then excrete a clear, sticky liquid referred to as 'honeydew'.
It is later that a black film, called 'sooty mold' grows on the surface of the honeydew.
So yes, you will have to deal with that until you are able to have the trees removed.
You could try washing off some of the honeydew (use the hose for the plants, soapy water and a scrub brush for the deck/furniture).
Christine
It is later that a black film, called 'sooty mold' grows on the surface of the honeydew.
So yes, you will have to deal with that until you are able to have the trees removed.
You could try washing off some of the honeydew (use the hose for the plants, soapy water and a scrub brush for the deck/furniture).
Christine
Thank you
Will follow your instructions.
myrna
