Norway Maple Help

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neefman East Bridgewater, MA May 17, 2015

My Norway Maple is getting eaten alive by caterpillars. Today I mowed underneath the tree and had a dozen or so attached to me. They are the classic inchworm type.

The winters have been very rough on the tree as well, with lots of branches cracked and broken off by snowfall. This must also be stressing the tree.

So here are my questions:

1) Over the past few years branches have stopped producing leaves producing what look like dead branches; should we cut them off or leave them?

2) Should we add nutrients at the base? I am totally unknowledgable (made up word, I think) about this...

3) Should we have the tree sprayed? I hate chemicals around my kids so I'd rather not do this if it's toxic to humans.

Thanks!

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sallyg Anne Arundel,, MD(Zone 7b) May 18, 2015

please don't spray. At this time, you probably won't kill what you want. They're on the move, so I think they are mostly done eating and would not be affected by Bt (a safe to humans spray)

Think of all the birds you are feeding. Think of all the seedlings you are preventing by letting the tree weaken (maybe- or maybe in desperation it will seed even more)

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Resin Northumberland, United Kingdom(Zone 9a) May 18, 2015

Quote from sallyg :
please don't spray. At this time, you probably won't kill what you want. They're on the move, so I think they are mostly done eating and would not be affected by Bt (a safe to humans spray)

Think of all the birds you are feeding. Think of all the seedlings you are preventing by letting the tree weaken (maybe- or maybe in desperation it will seed even more)


Well said! Agree fully :-)

Resin

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neefman East Bridgewater, MA May 18, 2015

Got it. I'll just let it be then.

What about the branches though? Does it help the tree if they are left up or should I cut them off?

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