Here are current Insect and Disease updates and information for issues affecting trees and shrubs in Western New York. We will periodically update this section as new information is available. As always please call us at The Tree Doctor to speak with an ISA certified arborist to discuss any questions you may have.

Box Tree Moth

This insect was first discovered in Niagara County in July of 2021. In the last three growing seasons we have seen this pest spread to Erie County and become a problem in many neighborhoods.  This pest, unlike many others can reproduce every 14 days beginning when temperatures reach 60 degrees. As you can imagine that can mean many generations in a growing season here in WNY.  The moth as an adult is not necessarily damaging but after the adult moth lays eggs, they hatch into caterpillars. These caterpillars then begin feeding until they mature into an adult moth and begin the cycle all over again. These caterpillars are leaf feeding insects which can cause complete defoliation and death to boxwood shrubs very quickly.  It is crucial that you have your boxwoods treated preventatively to save them from this devastating insect. We are recommending three spray treatments to protect boxwood shrubs all season long. Please call for a free estimate.

Magnolia scale

This pest is no “New guy on the block”.  If you have a Magnolia tree you have probably dealt with this at one time or another. 2024 was one of the worst seasons ever for this insect. It seemed to grow and reproduce extremely fast and most frustrating of all be very tough to control. We have several different options for treatment available, all of which have worked in different situations in the past. This past season none of them seemed to consistently work well.  Magnolia scale can be deceiving in the sense that even after the products works the adult scale is still visible. It will dry up and still stick to the branches giving the appearance that the treatment was not successful when it actually was. We have done some research and will be slightly changing our approach to treating scale in stubborn situations. We expect good results this year and will remain determined to effectively treat magnolias in 2025.