For no apparent cause some of your trees have taken on a sickly appearance? You may be concerned over what you cannot see making short work of the oaks, maples and fruit trees about your property. Then there is the question of which pests are most to be feared in Northern California.
Since 1990 Image Tree Pros (Image Tree Service) has been at the side of property owners from Napa to Sonoma, Mendocino and Marin to put their minds at ease. We have put our ISA Certified Arborists and credentialed staff to work on over 7,500 projects in that time and have had occasion to witness the havoc invasive pests can make. Give us a ring at (707) 394-9078 for a professional opinion on your trees.
We would like to put forward a few facts of interest regarding the small invaders in Wine Country before you do. You may be surprised by some of them.
The Bugs Are Smaller Than You Think
An obvious, large creature is what one envisions when thinking of a pest that will kill a tree. Not so in reality. Some of the worst invasive insects in this part of the country are not much bigger than a grain of rice, others even less. It is their size that is their undoing; they are dangerous because you will be none the wiser until they have been at it for months if not years.
Consider how devious they can be:
- A gold spotted oak borer is no larger than a big ant but has put an end to thousands of oaks in California.
- You will not find bark beetles with a spray as they have made their way under the tree’s outer layer.
- Firewood in the back of a truck can be a conveyance for an invasive pest to travel hundreds of miles.
- Dozens of eggs can be put down by a female borer in the smallest of cracks.
- Crown dieback is often the first sign that a pest has been present.
Firewood Is a Surprising Culprit
Homeowners are sometimes taken aback to learn that the quickest means of spreading an invasive pest is to take firewood from one place to the next. The eggs or larvae on a log can hatch into beetles that will assault a perfectly sound tree many miles away. For this reason arborists and those in forestry will tell you to buy your wood where you intend to burn it.
It is an easy error to make and one that has allowed pests to cross the state. In a high wildfire risk area such as ours, a tree that is dead or compromised by pests is all too happy to become fuel. The link between the two is why we are so particular about tree health.
Some Pests Will Go After a Stressed Tree
Invasive pests do not always have the upper hand. They tend to target a tree already put upon by drought, injury or poor soil. There is comfort in knowing a well tended tree has a better chance of fending off an infestation; strong defences and sap will stymie a boring insect.
Good care of your plants and trees is of consequence. With early detection and the right watering regimen you give them what they need to stand up to an attack.
A Unique Set of Threats in Wine Country
Pests are drawn to our region. Between the vineyards, orchards and native oaks an invasive insect has ample to eat, and the warmth of the climate sees them reproduce at a rate not found in colder climes.
Among the threats you should be aware of are wood-boring beetles on hardwoods, sap feeders that carry disease, and pathogens such as sudden oak death made worse by the pest. Rural properties with fruit and nut trees are also fair game.
Your Best Defence Is Early Detection
In the final analysis, the sooner you are on top of a problem the more options open to you. An arborist of our calibre will see the signs well ahead of the average homeowner, and that can be the deciding factor in whether a tree is saved.
As TCIA accredited and CSLB licensed (#719689), our TRAQ-qualified and Certified Tree Care Safety Professionals know what is what. We are happy to provide a free estimate.
Do not put off calling if you have concerns. We are here for 24/7 emergency service and serve all of Wine Country including Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Novato and beyond. Contact Image Tree Pros at (707) 394-9078.