Pine Sawfly Alert

Now is the time to watch pines for the presence of pine sawfly larvae.

The culprit is the larvae of a broad-waisted wasp that looks a lot like a house fly.
Eggs are laid at the ends of pine branches during the summer. Eggs begin to hatch in early to mid-April.
The larvae are very tiny to begin with but grow quickly and become increasingly destructive as they grow larger.
They progressively move down the branch, on which they were laid, consuming every needle until the entire branch is stripped.

If found early, on just a few branches, the tip of the infested branches can be inserted into a plastic bag and shaken to dislodge the larvae. On taller trees, the end of the infested branches can be lopped off with a pole trimmer.
If more than a few branches are infested it is probably best to spray the plant with an appropriate insecticide. Always read and follow pesticide label directions carefully.

Plants that were damaged by spine sawfly have a unique appearance. The current year’s new candles will develop naturally but all of the needles below those new candles will be stripped clean, leaving only a stubble where the needles once grew.
A single, light infestation will cause minimal harm to an otherwise healthy plant; but a heavy infestation, especially on an otherwise unhealthy plant, can be devastating.
Repeated heavy pine sawfly damage can weaken a plant making it more susceptible to other problems.

The best way to take care of pines and other trees is to have them regularly inspected by a professional, regularly fertilized, watered, properly pruned and treated for pests, including pine sawfly, as needed for good health.
Always call an expert like Tree Doctor 913-341-6100, a division of Martz Bros. Lawn Care, or contact Tree Doctor online when in doubt.