Cicadas are Impacting Trees in WNC
If you or your clients are noticing dead twigs on forest or landscape trees, chances are that it is the result of Periodical Cicadas. The female gender of these insects cuts slits in the twigs of various species of trees and lays her eggs. The result is the death of these twigs which turn brown and ultimately fall off of the tree. As this has already occurred there's little that you can do to prevent of control the problem, however pruning out the damaged twigs and destroying them may reduce the population for future outbreaks. Check out the attached article on Periodical Cicadas:Periodical Cicada
For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.
