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Spring 2020Vol. 15 / No. 2Spring 2020

White Pine Weevil Damage and What You Need to Know

2300 Sanford Ave. SW • Grandville, MI 49418

(616) 301-1300

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As the weather gets warmer and the signs of Spring start to emerge, so do adult White Pine Weevils also known as Pissodes strobi. The White Pine Weevil (WPW) adults overwinter under leaf litter and then begin to be active once snow has melted and the temperature remains at a consistent 50°F.

How does the WPW damage your trees?

The WPW travels up to the tips of trees and begins chewing and feeding on the bark. Weevils have an elongated mandible which is a diagnostic characteristic for identifying this insect. The WPW uses their specialized mouthparts to chew and puncture tissue beneath the tree’s primary growing points. Females will then lay their eggs near these puncture sites. Once the tree’s buds break open, the larvae will enter these puncture sites and begin burrowing and feeing off of the sap conducting phloem tissue underneath the bark. This feeding will cause the tips of the tree to appear wilted creating what is called a “shepherd’s crook”. This continued feeding will girdle the stem and the top section of the tree will eventually die. WPWs do not feed off side branches. However, as the larvae continue feeding down the tree, they will attack the tree’s secondary leaders which will result in a stunted, bushy, and topped looking tree. Once fully grown, the WPW adult will remain in the same tree for the remainder of the year and will then move to the base of the same or nearby tree to their overwintering shelter. The WPW life cycle will produce one generation of offspring each year and adults may live up to 4 years.

What kinds of trees does the WPW target?

The trees that the WPW primarily target are White Pine, which is what they’re named after. However, in Western Michigan, these insects are primarily found exclusively feeding on many different varieties of Spruce and Fir trees. The trees they prefer feeding on are fast growing (4-25ft), unshaded, and grow individually.

If you suspect that your tree may have WPW damage, please call our office at (616) 301-1300 Ext. 118. We will be happy to

set up a consultation and treatment plan that best suits your needs.

Integrity Tree Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTES:

CONSULTING • TREE & SHRUB CARE • FERTILIZATION • PRUNING

TREE REMOVAL • STUMP GRINDING • 24 HR. EMERGENCY • LAND CLEARING

NOTES:

CONSULTING • TREE & SHRUB CARE • FERTILIZATION • PRUNING

TREE REMOVAL • STUMP GRINDING • 24 HR. EMERGENCY • LAND CLEARING

NOTES:

CONSULTING • TREE & SHRUB CARE • FERTILIZATION • PRUNING

TREE REMOVAL • STUMP GRINDING • 24 HR. EMERGENCY • LAND CLEARINGAffiliations:

Mailing Address:

2300 Sanford Ave. SWGrandville, MI 49418

Phone Numbers:Office (616) 301-1300

Fax (616) 301-9900

Email Us: Office@

IntegrityTree.com

Certified Arborists:

Aaron AndreeMI-4178A

Shane HerremaMI-0580A

Dave KarstenMI-4159AU

(Certified Utility Specialist)

Matt LangelerMI-0770A

Pat MorrenMI-3858A

Jared SandersMI-4457A

Mike StefflerMI-4140A

Adam TerBeekMI-4068A

Dakin WrightIL-9356A

NOTES:

CONSULTING • TREE & SHRUB CARE • FERTILIZATION • PRUNING

TREE REMOVAL • STUMP GRINDING • 24 HR. EMERGENCY • LAND CLEARING

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A Message from our CEO Regarding COVID-19Integrity Tree Services is an essential service utilized by

many to ensure roads and power lines are clear, allowing healthcare professionals, food suppliers, and other critical

industries to continue serving their communities.

Please know the health and safety of our team members, our clients, and the communities we serve are our top priorities.

Preventive safety measures have been implemented to limit any potential future impact of COVID-19

during these extraordinary times.

Thank you for allowing us to continue serving you and your community.

Phil Sims, CEO

Integrity Tree Services Spring 2020 Seasonal Report2 Integrity Tree Services Spring 2020 Seasonal Report 3

Phytophthora Root Rot...the Plant Destroyer In Greek, the derivatives (phyton) “Plant” and (pthora) “destruction” come together to describe this group of plant damaging oomycetes (water molds), Phytophthera “Plant Destroyer”. This fungus-like organism is common worldwide and is responsible for the decline of large amounts of agricultural crops, nursery plants, and natural ecosystems. Phytoph-thera is so damaging to these areas due to the fact that it is able to live and be transferred throughout the soil for long periods of time. Unfortunately, it is hard for people in Western Michigan to find separation from Phytophthora due to its climate and environmental conditions. Phytophthora lives best in poorly drained, anaerobic (oxygen lacking) soils. Like many things that become saturated for long periods of time tend to rot, so do root systems that find themselves wet for long periods of time, such is the term “root rot”. Many of our naturally occurring trees as well as ornamental trees are very susceptible to this root rot if they are living within highly saturated soils. Once this soil-occurring organism attacks the root systems of trees,

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Mycorrhizae Benefits Your Plants When you think of the affects that fungi may have on a plant, you may think that most of them are negative. Mycorrhizae is actually a beneficial fungi that will change your perspective. Mycorrhizae is a symbiotic pairing that many fungi and plant root systems share. So, because of this, Mycorrhizae literally means “ Fungus-root”. Scientists believe that Mycorrhizae may have played a major part in helping the adaptation of primitive plants to land. Today many commercial gardeners utilize these mycorrhizal relationships in order to help maximize the potential and vigor of their plants. Today, about 85 percent of plants have some form of mycorrhizal relationship. But why is this so important to the establishment and health of a plant? It’s because the fungi are able to pair their root systems with another plant’s root system. The fugal strands called “hyphae” produce a network called “mycelium”. This mycelium expands throughout the soil and even makes connections between other plants to exchange signals and nutrients. This expansion of the root system allows the plant to sequester larger amounts of nutrients, minerals, and water which are necessary for plant growth and are found within the micropores of the soil. This exploitation of vital chemicals and nutrients to the plants allow them to grow larger and produce more flowers and fruits as well as aid in resistance to pests and pathogens. Mycorrhizae is a more natural and sustainable way to help your plants grow. Not only will this product pairing help grow your plants, but ITS also recommends Mycorrhizal Root applications to plants that are slow growing, need an increase in vigor, or to help improve your soil conditions.

If you are interested in learning more or adding a Mycorrhizal root treatment to your trees and shrubs,

our Tree & Shrub Care team will be happy to assist you!

phytophthora spreads throughout the tree, leading to the possibility for many onset symptoms. The most obvious signs to the untrained eye are loss of foliage and large decays with cankers throughout the trunk or root flare. Other signs of Phytophthora root rot may also include discoloration of water-soaked bark, premature color changing, and wilting of the tree’s leaves, canopy, and branch dieback, as well as significant decline in the vigor of the tree. If the root rot goes untreated, the tree may become susceptible to secondary stressors such as disease-causing pathogens and insect infestations. There are many cultural practices that you can do at home to reduce the chances of exposing your plants to root rot. Make sure that when you landscape, not to plant too deeply by keeping the root flare at the original soil level. In addition to planting, try to remove excessive organic matter so that your soil can be easily aerated and dried and do not mulch your trees and shrubs too deeply! There are other chemical treatment options that will help treat this fungus including systemic fungicide drenches and bark sprays. The timing for treatment of these fungicides are most effective in Spring and Fall when plants are transpiring. Next time you are working in your landscape or exploring your property, take these symptoms into consideration for your trees. If you do suspect that you have a soil, tree, or root rot issue, please feel free to call our office or ask one of our technicians. ITS will be happy to help you treat these issues.

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