This is a serious ornamental issue. Gall mites are significant problems for cran- berry shrubs as well as for maple trees. All woody shrubs and trees, however, have mite problems. Illustrated is a leaf infested with cranberry erineum gall mites. The infected leaf surface is red and deformed with a soft texture. The plant is not killed but individual leaves usually die when heavily infested. I am constantly being asked about the
Harmless galls produced by maple gall mites.
red spherical ‘bumps’ on maple leaves. These harmless galls are produced by maple gall mites. Treatment is not neces- sary. The galls are produced by the injec- tion of fluids from mites that stimulate abnormal plant cell growth. The abnor- mal growth envelopes their bodies form- ing an enclosed ‘home’ that is referred to as a ‘gall’. If you wish to control mites on any plant, spray the plant with dormant oil or lime sulfur just before the buds open in the spring. Fertilization
In certain instances pest problems
Spray Btk in spring to help with caterpillars. Canker worms
Much has been written on canker
worm control. I won’t go into details here. The best environmental control seems to be spraying with Btk which is poisonous to most caterpillars in the spring.
Cranberry erineum gall mite damage. Mites
There are instances when pests and
disease come together to make growth totally miserable for the plant. From my experience, European cranberry shrubs have more pest and disease problems than almost any other woody plant.
can be made worse, or the resistance of woody plants can be significantly reduced by fertilizing too often, or apply- ing fertilizers at the wrong time of the year. Over use of fertilizers can actually enhance the production of certain soil pests. It is always advisable to treat pests and diseases before embarking on an extensive fertilizing program. Pests that may be affected by inappropriate fertil- ization are spider mites, aphids, scales, adelgids and occasional caterpillars such as spruce bud worms. Fall fertilization is usually recommended because the activ- ity of serious tree pests is much reduced
International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborists
Your trees play an important role in our environment, your landscape, and your home value.
Trust them to our care.
Knowledge • Experience • Value (204) 475-8746
24 • Early Spring 2016
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