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Thread: What's up with the Maple Trees?

  1. #11
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    The Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) was first brought to the U.S. (specifically, to Medford, MA) from France in 1869 by Etienne Leopold Trouvelot, who was interested in seeing if he could cultivate them for silk production. It wasn’t long before they escaped and started wreaking havoc on the trees of Massachusetts. They were first discovered in Stonington CT in July of 1905, and were present in all 169 Connecticut town by 1952.



    If you live in Connecticut, you’ve likely encountered a Gypsy Moth. In fact, it’s very possible that you’ve suffered the impacts of an infestation on your property or a nearby park: defoliated or dead trees, caterpillars clinging to your clothes, and frass (caterpillar waste) falling from the trees into your hair, your coffee, or your picnic. You can go ahead and blame Etienne and his silk dreams for this.



    So how did we fare this season? According to Brad, we still need some time to assess this years’ damage, but the spread of a virus (Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus, or NPV) and a fungus (Entomophaga maimaiga) that kills Gypsy Moths certainly did a number on the population. As rain helps to spread the fungus, the wet spring we had was a key factor in slowing the population growth this season. Anecdotally, attendees of Brad’s lecture reported seeing trees in their various towns covered with hundreds of dead Gypsy Moth caterpillars.



    So when will have more definitive information on this years’ infestation? We’ll have to wait for the results of Connecticut’s Forest Aerial Survey, conducted each year from late June to early August. Though the survey originally focused on Gypsy Moth defoliation, it has expanded to include other types of forest damage, such as Emerald Ash borer and Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.



    During the presentation, Brad answered a number of questions regarding the control of Gypsy Moths, including some regarding the manual removal of egg masses from trees. Many participants were surprised to learn that scraping the egg masses off the trees isn’t enough - - they will still hatch! Putting egg masses in soapy water, or in a mix of oil and water works best for successfully killing the egg masses. For more information on control and natural predators of Gypsy Moths, visit the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Website: http://www.ct.gov/caes/cwp/view.asp?...&Q=588414&PM=1
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  2. #12
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    Something to consider reducing the threat of defoliation by pests.

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  3. #13
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    I have not had any defoliation but my question is why are the leaves changing colors and falling already. It seems to be a about a month or more early. Jeff
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  4. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wanabe1972 View Post
    I have not had any defoliation but my question is why are the leaves changing colors and falling already. It seems to be a about a month or more early. Jeff
    I am seeing the same thing here on some of my trees. I also notice that the ones losing the leaves are covered in seeds to the point they look more brown than green.
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  5. #15
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    Default What's up with the Maple Trees?

    Quote Originally Posted by Z/MAN View Post
    I am seeing the same thing here on some of my trees. I also notice that the ones losing the leaves are covered in seeds to the point they look more brown than green.
    I too have several trees that have leaves changing color early. Some small branches even started in June. I assumed they were diseased, and cut them off at the trunk. But now I'm looking around at a few trees that are half orange already.. what gives?
    Last edited by Ohio Maple Blaster; 09-04-2017 at 12:22 PM.

  6. #16
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    I too have alot of mature sugars that look really bad in NE Ohio. I think a big seed year combined with below average rainfall has contributed to the leaf drop. I worry that there will be alot of branch dieback.
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  7. #17
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    Heavy seed crop here, plenty of water all summer. Leaves on some reds just dried up and curled then fell off three weeks ago. Rock maples are turning dull brown some orange but at least 3 weeks early.
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  8. #18
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    Same observed in southern CT. Havent seen any gypsies , only a few tents on an apple tree. Tons of seeds and early browning on leaves.
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  9. #19
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    With the start of a new season, I think we should re-visit this topic. Last summer(2017) our trees were still reacting to the drought of 2016. We had what tree people call a "mast year", with bumper crops of seeds and nuts on just about any kind of tree you could name. The sugar maples were covered with seeds/keys and in late summer they turned the trees golden as those keys matured. So much energy went into seed production that the leaves were only about half their normal size, and we know that the leaves make the sugar. Now that we're bringing in the sap, I'm testing at 2.5% sugar instead of the 3.5 % I've seen in past years. It's early yet, and I'll test my sap to see if it improves. Anyone else seeing lower sugar content?

  10. #20
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    Yes, but I was one of those here in SLC who had 90% defoliation from tent caterpillars. My test is 1.7, normally just above 2%. I do have about 40% soft maples that were not affected. Sap flow appears about normal.

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