Removing Tree of Heaven That's Swarming with Lanter Flies - Ask Extension
I have 3 50 or so feet tree of heavens in my backyard in Baltimore city. We noticed in the past few months an oily residue on all the ground cover bel...
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Removing Tree of Heaven That's Swarming with Lanter Flies #881119
Asked August 12, 2024, 10:05 AM EDT
I have 3 50 or so feet tree of heavens in my backyard in Baltimore city. We noticed in the past few months an oily residue on all the ground cover below them. The ground cover is now turning black. After a little research we believe this is because of honeydew from spotted lantern flies. Looking at the trunks of the 3 trees we see hundreds (maybe thousands) of lantern flies attached to the bark of each tree.
Does the state or city have a program or assistance for removing the trees and dealing with the huge population of lantern flies on my property? I'm happy to hire an arborist to take the trees down, but understand that these trees are prolific and will continue to grow back unless eliminated in a specific manner.
Help!
Baltimore City County Maryland
Expert Response
You have done good research!
The invasive but long-present Tree of Heaven, a.k.a. Ailanthus is the preferred host plant for the newly invasive Spotted Lanternfly: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/spotted-lanternfly-home-gardens/ (Our native black walnut and sumac look very similar but if you crush and smell peanut butter, that's it.)
As a sucking insect, it excretes sticky, sweet honeydew which other insects like to eat and a black film called sooty mold grows on (which will eventually wear away.)
We don't expect that the Spotted Lanternfly populations will continue to be as high as they are right now in the long term. The areas of the country (and Maryland) where they first arrived in huge numbers have fallen dramatically with time as our native insects, birds, etc. find them tasty.
You can consider removing your trees, but unfortunately, there isn't any financial help available to do that.
Penn State Extension has the best info on the specific timing and process to get it done, which is linked at the bottom of the SLF page above.
Christine
The invasive but long-present Tree of Heaven, a.k.a. Ailanthus is the preferred host plant for the newly invasive Spotted Lanternfly: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/spotted-lanternfly-home-gardens/ (Our native black walnut and sumac look very similar but if you crush and smell peanut butter, that's it.)
As a sucking insect, it excretes sticky, sweet honeydew which other insects like to eat and a black film called sooty mold grows on (which will eventually wear away.)
We don't expect that the Spotted Lanternfly populations will continue to be as high as they are right now in the long term. The areas of the country (and Maryland) where they first arrived in huge numbers have fallen dramatically with time as our native insects, birds, etc. find them tasty.
You can consider removing your trees, but unfortunately, there isn't any financial help available to do that.
Penn State Extension has the best info on the specific timing and process to get it done, which is linked at the bottom of the SLF page above.
Christine
