Insects destroyed front yard tree-shrub

Hi,

The 10ft tree-shrub in the fron yard has been destroyed by insects, the ones which are hanging from a pouch/bag like thing,only the insect mouth shows from the shell shaped bag.(Are they bag-worms?)The tree has been dried up from where they attacked, which is 85%.15% of the tree is same green. The bad thing was the tree looked like it is just dying and the insects could not be seen unless looked too closely since they were in bags, which are made of dry shrub. The moment we caught, we sprayed the insecticide made for those.
Though the insects have all died, they are still hanging upside down in the bags, shaking the tree did not ditatch them.
Our question is, how to get rid of them?
Would our tree come back to life or would we have to replace it with other, since part of it is still green?
Any suggestions, leads folks?[?]
Thanks ....

 

It likely wasn't the worms. They don't eat anything until they leave the bag (and, they are just starting to leave their bags now, which would make it difficult for them to have already killed your tree). It was probably Japanese beatles that killed your tree.

 

Those are bag Worms. They are very bad for trees and shrubs. Exterminate them with no mercy. Pull them off and swuish them or pull them off and drown them in soapy water.

 

Those ARE bag worms... they do munch like crazy before and while they are they are making those bags. They will kill your tree.
Pick the worms off and put them in a plastic bag and tie a knot in it so they will die.
Ask Blue Mount about the special chemical you should spray on the tree. Don't use Sevin.

 

Yes, those ARE bag worms but they didn't kill the tree. According to the post, the tree is already dead (or dying quickly). Bag worms have not come out of their bags yet and don't cause many problems until they come out. If the tree is already dead, it was likely Japanese Beetles not bag worms. However, when the bag worms hatch, they will probably finish off what is left of the tree.

 

Try using the Loudoun County Extension office on any gardening or landscape questions or concerns. They can tell you what insects or help with any other concerns free of charge. The Master Gardeners have a phone assistance program that help you with concerns, etc.

I volunteer with 4H and have 25 acres. Therefore, I have used Extension services alot. They also can offer a free soil ph kit to measure your soil, etc. Free information at office in Leesburg.

 

Bagworm topic is also discussed in-depth at: http://hoa.broadlands.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2264 (Broadlands Nature Center/Habitat/Garden Corner forum thread)

Master Gardener Hotline at Loudoun County Extension office is open from M-F, 9 to noon at 703-771-5150.

 

Hi all,
Thanks for sharing the concern with me. Hey, Habitat, I tried calling the Helpline, but it always goes on voicemail. I wonder, if they will call me back if I leave a message.

 

Hi Ashley,
Yes, they will call back if you leave a message. Remember, they are only open from 9 to noon. After that their phones go on voicemail. When you leave a detailed voice message, they usually return phone calls the very next day. It will help a great deal to clearly state one's contact info in the voice message.

An alternative way to contact the team of Master Gardeners is to send an e-mail to ext107mg@vt.edu or to stop by their Helpline Office (which operates M-F, 9 to noon) in the Extension Office (in the same building as the bank) at 30 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg.

 

Thanks Habitat, I did call between 9 and noon. And yes, left a message today. I desparately need diagnosis and solution for the tree. It makes my front yard look sooo soo bad !I'd rather not have the tree than having such !

 

I don't know who is right but I can tell you from experience in my own yard. Those bag worms can eat half of a huge evergreen tree in less than a week. The were still in their bags and chomping down. I went out every night and picked off what I could see. The little ones are hgard to find but in a day or so they put on enough weight and leave particles that they are easily identified. Get rid of them quickly.

The good news (if you could say that) is when bag worms infest a decidous tree the leaves will grow back the following spring if the tree is not damaged or stressed in any other way. Evergreen trees however do not regenerate their eaten leaves.

Yes, pick them off. The worm case/bag is almost impervious to chemicals. If the chemical hits the bag but not the worm itself it probably won't be killed. You don't want to take a chance.

It's true Japanese beatles hit our area hard this year. You might want to consider the milky spore program. And convince you neighbors to do the same. At least you will get rid of one problem.