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Blackfly on elderberry tree, solution in June?
FiveFootGardener
Posts: 5
Hi all,
I've got a lovely elderberry tree at the bottom of my garden, about 15ft high and really sturdy. The last two years I have been having a nightmare with black fly. I realise now that I should have treated it over winter, but at the time had no idea what to do.
It's now June, and the tree is causing a really awful mess all over the cars which are parked next to it, and I'm under increasing pressure from everyone to chop it down!
It looks so beautiful from the house, so I am reluctant to chop it down. What can I do at this time of year? Would a severe pruning in June be the end of it?
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Posts
You could prune it, but I doubt you doing anything last winter will have helped what you have now. These infestations are quite common at this time of year and an indication of growth. You could just jet hose down all the areas to limit this, but when you say the mess caused to the cars, that's something you need to think about. Its position. All shrubs and trees can cause mess on motors, it's whether this bothers you or your neighbours. The other option is to plant it somewhere more suitable? Perhaps somewhere where it's not so obvious and you don't need to clean away.
Thank you Borderline, very helpful.
I wish i could move it, but the roots disappear under the concrete driveway. I think perhaps I'll chop it down after all and treat myself to something new in its place.
For something similar but different, how about a golden elder, or a black lace elder ?
If you have a look for Sambucus there are some lovely one's to choose from. I've got both the above and they lovely and easy to maintain - and keep small if you wish
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I'll check them out, thanks Pete
I'm suddenly quite looking forward to making a bit of space!
Thanks Pansyface. That does sound bizarre but surely has to be worth a go.
No Matter how hard you prune Elderberry trees, even if down to ground level, they usually make a remarkable comeback. With the main trunk cut down, they send up more side shoots and end up 'bushier' and reach outwards as well as upwards.
If you're unable to dig it out because of the concrete, you'll need to apply a stump killer product to stop it growing back.
Ahids have a preference for sap from certain trees and they secrete a substance called honeydew which is usually the sticky and annoyingly difficult-to-remove substance that finds it way onto nearby cars.
Pete's Elderberry alternatives are great suggestions!
Thanks for the comprehensive response Dave. Yes it definitely sounds like honey dew that's all over our cars. Time for the chop!
But those who advocate spraying and or applying chemical muck should think again
I have woven together several "poles" of Elder and they are infested with black fly and I am DELIGHTED
They represent Mac Ds for other insects but especially one of natures natural insecticides THE LADY BIRD
With the NHM flagging up the decline in the insect population its about time people people consigned chemicals to history
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2022/may/uks-flying-insects-have-declined-60-in-20-years.html