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Ants on Pussy Willow

nothingcomplicatedTPPdXa0gnothingcomplicatedTPPdXa0g Posts: 1
in Problem solving


Hello! I have what seems like an ant infestation on a young pussy willow tree resulting in death to some branches. Any advice on how best to control this?
Many thanks!

Posts

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Your tree probably has aphids, which the ants are farming - they have no interest in the tree itself. Try a vigorous hosing of the tree, enough to shift the bugs but not shred the leaves.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Hello @nothingcomplicatedTPPdXa0g and welcome to the forum :)

    The ants aren't harming the top growth of the tree, but ants love dry soil and will build their nests there ...  my thoughts are that the soil around your tree is much too dry ... the ants' nest has made it even drier ... it's a willow and all willows need very damp soil ... I would give your tree three buckets full of water every other day for the next ten days ... then three buckets of water twice a week from now until mid September.  

    In the future, at the beginning of March start with the three buckets of water twice a week and carry on as before, whether it rains or not.

    Pour the water gently over the soil directly at the base of the tree so that it soaks right down to where the roots should be.  

    That should kill two problems with one stone  :)



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





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