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Caterpillars all over pussy willow!

Seaglass_and_stitchesSeaglass_and_stitches Posts: 9
in Problem solving
Hello all! My mum has a pussy willow tree and it has become overrun with tiny black scaley bugs and small green caterpillars. 

 They have absolutely decimated the leaves and we have decided to cut all the infected branches back, but when is best to do this without killing the tree?
Thank you!

Posts

  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    Leave the branches, cutting them back is treating the symptoms not the cause. The caterpillars will soon be gone and the tree will grow new leaves. Other predators will come in to help with the scaley bugs or you can wipe them off with a meths soaked rag.
  • Seaglass_and_stitchesSeaglass_and_stitches Posts: 9
    Thanks steep hill!
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    The tree will be fine
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited June 2022
    Willows are wonderful for wildlife … and that’s exactly what you’re seeing … Springwatch in your own garden. 

    Just make sure the roots receive plenty of water … willows mustn’t  be allowed to dry out … then it’ll be fit enough to produce more fresh new leaves. 

    Is it planted in the ground? 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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