Gypsy moth larvae, combined with extremely hot sun during a dry spring, have decimated all three of my 20-year-old red oaks. The realization prompted a close up exploration of my Corbeil property, specifically the 60-odd trees I’ve planted or encouraged to grow since moving to the hacienda in 2002.
If you have oaks, apple, ash or spruce trees, you might want to check out what is going on before it’s too late. The insects are thirsty and hungry and replicating like mad with your favourite flora under attack while struggling during the drought-like conditions.
There are soapy water treatments and BTK biological mixtures that target the larvae, as well as some spider powders that work well (although more toxic than necessary). Here’s one article to get you started on what you can do HERE.
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Writer, photographer and proud father. My mom’s family is from the Soo with its Algoma Highlands, dad hailed from Cobden in the Ottawa Valley and I spent my teen years in Capreol. Summers were at the beach on the Vermillion River and winters at ‘The Rink.’ Born in East York but Toronto never was my thing. Ever since a kid looking out the window on long trips, I imagined living on the highway in a little house with a big yard and trees growing all around me.
