The American basswood is a beautiful tree and you can find it commonly in the suburbs and basically everywhere. But just because it is a tree, doesn’t mean that it won’t run into problems that could pose a threat to its health. Here are some common issues associated with American basswood, for which you should consult tree services.
Common American Basswood Tree Issues
Japanese Beetles
All insects feed on trees to survive and Japanese beetles love basswood to no end. These beetles can prey on many types of trees, but they are most commonly found on basswood trees. These are small beetles that travel and feast on the tree in groups.
If you see a huge infestation of Japanese beetles on a basswood tree, then it can lead to severe damage to the tree and that is not good at all. They can affect the leaves, branches, twigs, and even the trunk of the tree.
Bark Aphids
Almost all trees produce sap. It is a thick liquid that is mostly found underneath the layer of bark. While sap is an integral part of the tree, it can also attract many insects and one of them is bark aphids. They are the biggest aphids that can attack trees, especially basswood trees and they are very harmful to the tree.
They attack the trees by targeting the branches and twigs, and if they are thin and frail, then they will fall. The aphids also leave honeydew behind, which is a very thick and sticky substance, and it can cause other things to latch onto the tree easily, which is not a good sign.
Basswood Leaf Miner
These insects are like little beetles and they’re quite literally one-fourth of an inch big. These beetles can usually be found on the leaves and the adult beetles will lay the eggs that hatch in June and following.
They are called leaf miners because once the eggs are hatched, the baby beetles form blotches on the leaves. They mostly attack the leaves and from there, the infestation can travel all the way up to the inside of the tree. They can cause tree wounds and damage that is very harmful for the tree’s health in general.
Wilted Leaves
If you want to see a healthy American basswood tree, then the first thing you want to look at is the leaves. The leaves are where the first signs of health and damage are the most prominent and you want to take a closer look at the tree to ensure that nothing is attacking the tree silently.
If the leaves are not stiff and they are looking dull and wilted, then you want to contact a tree professional immediately. It may be because of an infestation, or it could be something very severe like root damage.
Nutrient Deficiency
American basswood tree, just like other trees, relies on its roots for nutrient supply to all parts of the tree. However, if the nutrients are not enough to pull the tree through, then it can look very dull and the tree will slowly wither away. This is not ideal at all.
So, in case of nutrient deficiency, you want to check the roots first and then see if there are any issues with the things you’re giving the tree. Maybe there’s not enough sunlight. Perhaps you’re overwatering the tree or the soil is not appropriate. If the tree is leaning or is infested by pests, consider removing it with the help of tree cutting services Chevy Chase.
Over Or Under-Watering
Speaking of watering the tree, too little water is not good, but what is also not good for the tree is to leave it damp at all times. Over or under-watering the American basswood tree can be detrimental to the tree. You want to give it enough water so that it is not dry to the roots, but you also don’t want the soil to remain wet and soggy at all times.
This is going to lead to fungal infections and it can also weaken the roots, so this is not something you want to do. You might think you’re doing good to the tree, but that won’t be the case in reality.
Leaves Turning Yellow
The leaves of the American basswood tree turning yellow is quite alarming. Yellowing of the leaves can be due to a couple of reasons. It can be because of infestation of insects like bugs or beetles and that is something you should keep an eye out for, but it can also be because of not watering the tree or perhaps the soil is not rich in nutrients, which is causing the leaves to turn yellow and fall to the ground. That is not what you want, so make sure that you look into this.
Improper Soil
Soil is also a very important factor to consider when you’re going over the different problems in an American basswood tree. Some soils are rich in nutrients and the roots can help themselves to strengthen the tree and ensure that there is enough nutrient and mineral supply in the soil by default.
However, a lot of the time, the quality of the soil can be very mediocre and it can lead to a lot of problems in the tree, like declining health, damage to the bark and roots, wilting, etc.
Fall Cankerworm
Fall cankerworm is a small worm, that a lot of people can mistake for a caterpillar. They are easily distinguished by their striking green color and alternating white stripes. These worms lay eggs in hundreds and they hatch in April and May.
The small worms start by making holes in the leaves and the base of the branches. These holes progressively get bigger, as the worms grow up and they feast on many integral parts of the tree, which can lead to an obvious decline in the health of the tree and things don’t look good from that point on.
Linden Looper
The Linden looper is a kind of caterpillar and the most distinguishing factor is the appearance of the caterpillar. It is yellow on the underside and the top part of the body is covered in white, black, and yellow stripes or lines. They’re only an inch or so long and they infest the trees in the months following spring.
The caterpillars can be found on the leaves or even the bark of the tree and they tend to lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves or somewhere safe and depend on the bark or branch. Once the eggs hatch and the caterpillars grow up, they feast on the leaves, and they can damage the basswood tree. It can lead to declined health, yellowing and spotting of the leaves, and so much more.
Introducing natural predators and spraying the young trees down with insecticide can do the trick. This will kill the eggs and ensure that the tree doesn’t fall victim to this little bug’s wrath.
Conclusion
If you have an American basswood tree in your backyard or front yard, then these things are good to know, because you don’t want your tree to fall victim to damage and then wilt and die in no time. However, if your tree is showing signs of damage and distress, call in tree removal companies Kensington.