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| Hi, I am usually on the Hot Pepper Forum but I just found a pest infestation on my 3-4 year old Quaking Aspen tree. They are at the very top of the plant on the newest growth. The tree is currently about 8 feet tall. My first thought was some type of Aphid as I have dealt with them on my Peppers and Roses but these dont look the same. Can anyone tell me what they are and if I have anything to worry about and if so, what can I do about them? I am located in S. Central Wisconsin if that matters.
Thanks,
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Follow-Up Postings:
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| Yes, those are aphids. Aphids come in all kinds of odd colors and some variation in the basic shape, some are more squat and heavy, some a bit more tall and streamlined. You should be able to get rid of them easily with almost any pesticide, aphids are pretty easy to control. Spray, dust, soil drench systemic, whatever you find easiest to use. |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Tue, Jun 19, 12 at 19:23
| you can spray them off with the hose .... and that is the MAXIMUM you should do.. unless.. and until.. you see some damage ... i understand the full contact controls needed for crops .. your beloved peppers[who knew they had their own forum.. lol] ... or the glorious foo foo rose ... but the odds of them doing any major harm on a tree of any size or age.. is minor ... i just dont know why you would NEED to do anything ... now.. is when you tell us it 14 inches tall.. and you just planted it last week ... lol .. yeah.. i just checked.. its 8 feet ... on the other hand.. if you happen to have spray for the crops.. leftover.. why not hit the tree .. presuming the label directions allow ... better than dumping it out.. ken ps: quaking aspen.. most aspens.. grow themselves into groves .. to the exclusion of other things .... in a decade or so.. how is that all going to work with you other passions .... it might not end up being the best companion plant ... but i am sure.. you will cross that bridge later ... |
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| Thanks guys for the info. I have some insecticidal soap that works on peppers and roses. I may give that a shot....or just hit them with the hose. Ken: What do you mean that aspen trees grow themselves into groves? It is one lone plant all by itself. And it is growing great. Probably 1.5 to 2 feet already this year in new growth. I know they are supposed to grow fast and that is what I was hoping for. Am I going to be regretting planting this guy down the road? Bruce |
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| esox, Aspens are famous for how they grow.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pando_(tree) (an 80,000 year old clone colony, perhaps one of the largest organisms known, and the heaviest :-) ) Ken was probably just reminding you they can behave like the Borg. |
Here is a link that might be useful: check this
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| OK, I can deal with some shoots around it. My grass is dead from heat and lack of rain so maybe something will grow. The crab grass gave up yesterday. Besides, my mower doesn't discriminate between grass and baby trees. The only thing that might upset me is if the roots start surfacing. Bruce |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Wed, Jun 20, 12 at 8:08
| i grow hosta.. over 1500 different kinds .. what trees are reasonable to garden in .. under.. and around.. is very important to me .. i have a long list of hated trees.. primarily maple.. and a long list of trees that i would not plant.. because i want to garden under them ... and aspen is one of them ... your facts .... indicate a wide range of gardening ideas .... and all i am suggesting.. is that in 5.. 10.. 20.. years down the line.. you might not be happy with your trees choice ... but surely.. you can deal with it then ... and my one golden rule with such is.. cut it down and get rid of it.. while you can still do it FOR FREE .. yourself ... IF AND WHEN IT BECOMES A PROBLEM ... [this is what i did.. as EAB came along.. and i had some ash getting on 20 feet .. and though it broke my heart to do it.. i took them down.. while i could still do it for free] most things. that start with a few runners.. shoots.. only get worse.. as you start cutting them out ... as i said.. i am just making you aware of the POTENTIAL problem..not suggesting any action need be done right now ... on my 5 acres.. i could have one.. 4 acres over from my hosta.. on the other hand.. when i was in suburbia.. on a 50 by 100 foot backyard.. such a tree might very quickly become an issue ... good luck enjoy your aspen.. ken |
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