Some of our clients have contacted us about trees dripping sap on their paths and cars, making an unpleasant sticky mess. The usual cause is tree aphids. These insect pests can also put your trees under serious stress and lead to disease, so read on to learn more about effective aphid removal.

A close up of tree aphids

A close up of tree aphids

 

What is a tree aphid?

Tree aphids (as shown above) are soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects that can be almost any colour. Aphids on tree foliage and shoots feed by sucking fluid from the tree through a slender mouthpart called a proboscis. They feed in clusters, usually on the undersides of leaves near the point where the leaf attaches to the stem, or on tender young shoots and buds. As they feed, they secrete a sticky fluid called honeydew. When enough aphids are feeding on the tree, this honeydew will begin dripping from the leaves.

Tree Diseases Spread by Aphids

Some tree diseases are spread by aphids, especially fungal diseases. Tree disease is much more serious than aphid infestations, and can kill or seriously damage a tree. To prevent the spread of aphid tree disease and avoid needing tree removal, keep the tree as healthy as possible to support its natural defence against disease and control the aphids as much as possible.

Aphid Removal Advice

One of the best ways to treat these infestations is to ask your tree surgeons to prune the young shoots from the tree, eliminating the insects and the cause of the infestation in one go and giving your tree a trim at the same time.

So if you need crown thinning in South London or other services for your trees, don’t hesitate to click above to give us a call and we would be very happy to discuss your requirements.

Written by

Toby Douglas is the founder of Take A Bough Tree Care. After university in Aberystwyth, Toby made the decision to study Arboriculture at Merrist Wood, in Surrey. In 2001 he successfully completed a National Certificate in Horticulture, and a National Diploma in Arboriculture, then worked for two years subcontracting to large and respected companies in order to gain the practical experience to compete successfully for both private and corporate contacts once Take a Bough Tree Care was launched

"My trees had been cut back beautifully, taking off the perfect amount, and leaving them in a beautiful shape. All was done with absolutely no mess left. And all for a brilliant price."
Cali

How can our expert tree surgeons help you?

Read about the tree surgery methods and processes that can resolve your tree issues.