AboutJim Hyland Expertise I am an expert in Forestry, Forest Entomology, Forest Pest Control, and Forest Health. Extensive knowledge in Identification of insects and diseases of trees. Expert on Bark beetles and other insects that attack forests. Also a Registrated Forester with extensive knowledge in the management and care of forests.
Experience 34 years as State Pest Management Chief in a Southern state. Extensive knowledge in Forestry.
BS with major in Forest Management and Entomology Registered Forester Certified Pesticide Appicator
Question I live in Oakville, Ontario just 30 minutes west of Toronto in zone 6a or 6b. I just planted a 15 foot Tricolour beech a month or so ago and this last week or so, I noted as the weather has been getting warmer, that on the underside of some of the leaves, there is white, kinda fluffy stuff. I don't know what it is...can you help me identify this, please. I noted some very tiny lime green teeny bugs yesterday. I was told this is a spider mite of some kind. Is this a pest that was in the tree when I bought it (it had no leaves when it was purchased)? What is it and how do I rid the tree of its spread? It is spreading fast and I can't even reach the top branches. I sprayed it yesterday with an Insecticidal soap and wiped down as many leaves as I could reach and repsrayed it again once finished. thanks for your advice.
Jan
Answer These are aphids (an insect) and what you are doing will kill the insects. The treatment should be repeated once a week. Some aphids are not killed by the soap so you may have to spray the tree with an insecticide--one called Orthene is a good systemic insecticide and will work well on aphids.
