Pine Tree

My Pine Tree has brown clumps hanging off the limbs. Is this normal. for this time of year.?

This message was edited Sep 4, 2011 6:25 PM

That's a normal infestation of bagworms on your evergreen, and this is the time of year when they make great strides in defoliating conifers.

Bagworms are caterpillars that feed on the needles of common conifers like pines, firs, and spruces like yours. They make bags out of silk and plant detritus and use it as protection against predators (and humans).

I'd be disconnecting those varmints from your branches as fast as I could, before you end up with Picea pungens 'Bare Naked'.

Thanks Viburnum, how do I fix this problem?

Hand collecting is the most sure way to know that you've gotten the pest.

At the advanced stage of development illustrated, pesticides are not particularly effective.

Take a picture of your whole tree, and give us some idea of how big it is and how distributed the bagworms have gotten.

To remove them from the branch, you'll need something sharp to sever the bag from the branch. The caterpillar's bag has a tough loop of silk which secures it to the branch upon which it feeds. As the caterpillar nibbles the needles down to a nub, it then drags itself and the bag along to the next needle. Trying to pull this loose to remove the bagworm usually results in damage to the plant you are trying to protect.

A sharp knife, a box cutter, a set of pruning shears - any of these will do the trick. Practice on targets near the ground before attempting to get at ones higher up.

Why, don't I just call a tree doctor, I don't think I can take care of it.

That is a perfectly good approach as well. I wanted to give you an idea of the process required.

I just grab them firmly and pull them off.
But if you can't reach them, you'll need help.
A heavily infested plant can be killed outright by defoliation.
It can happen quickly, so if you need a tree guy to come out,
be sure they can deal with the situation promptly.
You also should check nearby conifers, as many can be infested.

Even if you can't pull them off, a good firm squeeze should kill the caterpillar inside. Wear disposable gloves if you don't like the idea of caterpillar juice on your fingers.

Resin

Thanks everyone, since the tree is to tall I think I'll just leave it to the pro's. The tree is about 20-30 ft tall.

Agree with additional opinions, except that removal shows that you've got them all. It isn't so easy to tell if only squishing - especially when there are a LOT.

I called The American Forestry this morning, and I told the systems of the tree, and they said it sounds like Bagworms,so they are coming out Friday to check it for sure, I hope it doesn't cost me an arm and leg to get it taken care of, but would like to save it if possible. Thanks Viburnum. Will the bagworms hurt human's?

They would look interesting (and garner quite the comments at an Entomologist convention) if worn as a necklace, or earrings...

Oh yes Resin, I'm scared to death I'll send you some bagworms if you want them.

Valley, I'll send you some also if you would like, I have enough of these things for about 10 people.

Halloween is just around the corner - bet you know some teenagers that'd think that's cool, especially if they were still...ALIVE

Valley, I don't understand, what you are saying

Just joking around...

I think (remembering back as a kid) that it was a way of life to imagine inventive ways of using weird things like insects - especially around Halloween.

If a kid was able to get hold of a bucket full of live bagworms and figure out how to wear them as a costume, well, he'd be the hit of his neighborhood.

Valley, I never heard of bagworms until the other day.

I think they're pretty entertaining creatures.
I hand-pick them off the plant & toss them into a galvanized bucket.
While I'm harvesting new ones, the ones in the bucket are making a
break for freedom up the sides of the bucket.
Sort of like pig races at the county fair.
Pretty hilarious in their bag-costumes.
But, sadly, it doesn't take much to entertain me...

I'm comin' over to Wee's crib - there's a fella who knows how to have fun.

That's all I'm sayin' - stitch a line of 'em together and hang 'em around a kid's neck and walk up to a neighbor's door. You'll have your pick of the goodies after the neighbor keels over...

That gives me an idea - there's a significant anniversary coming up, and at just the right time of year!

A man came today to check out the tree, and he said the tree does have bagworms, but can't do anything about it until next June or July, He said the worms have already laid their eggs and died, so that's why we wait until next year to spray.

Watch for them earlier in the year next year. You can see them if you look close enough. I've seen them as small as a quarter to a half inch. That's when the spray will kill them.
Another thing in my experience is that they will usually only bother a stressed plant. Make sure your pine isn't stressing over anything. ;-)

This message was edited Sep 10, 2011 12:49 PM

Thanks Wabbit, I don't know if they will bother my Hostas, that are under the tree or not.

?

The conifer branch is their own little zip line...