LANDSCAPING SERVICES
NIP BUGS IN THE BUD AS TREES BURST INTO LIFE
A host of bugs usually appear in April to prey on trees and shrubs but the recent cold snap early in the month may have proved a stay of execution for some species .
“ The dip in temperatures most likely pushed things back a little ,” says Dr Jon Banks , Research Lab Manager at Bartlett Tree Experts , “ but plenty of undesirable things will be coming out very soon .”
Our treasured conker trees grow fearful this time of year of what may be about to hit them – the horse chestnut leaf miner .
These tiny moths emerge from leaf litter just as horse chestnuts burst into leaf , feeding off the fresh green foliage to leave unsightly trails and brown , crinkly remains .
The trees can even drop their foliage mid-season , giving up the ghost for the year in the hope of a better climate next time round .
Leaf miner , and another blight affecting the same species – horse chestnut bleeding canker - spread alarm across the UK when they first struck some 15 years ago but things are improving , Dr Banks notes .
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