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Working Together to Save our Trees
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Each year, Charlotte is faced with a growing population of fall cankerworms. Last spring, the City conducted an aerial spraying to help control the fall cankerworm population. Although the spray was successful, it is still important for residents to band their trees this fall. By continuing to band our trees, we can prevent the cankerworm population from increasing to an unmanageable level.
Last year, the City estimated that the fall cankerworm infested more than 73,000 acres. This area represented more than 40% of our City. Tree bands will be examined this fall to determine how effective the spray was and to determine which areas of our City still have higher populations damaging their trees. The City will not be conducting another spray this spring, but will continue to monitor the population.
Let's Band Together
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How can you help control the fall cankerworm population?
The important first step in controlling the fall cankerworm population is tree banding. This helps decrease the number of females who travel to the tops of the trees to lay their eggs.
What is the fall cankerworm?
The fall cankerworm (Alsophila pometraria) is an insect native to North America. It is typically found from Georgia to Nova Scotia and west to Texas. It has a four stage life cycle: egg, pupa, larva (caterpillar) and adult.
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How does the fall cankerworm affect trees?
After mating in December, the female moths crawl up trees to lay their eggs on twigs and mall branches. As the trees leaf out in the spring, the eggs hatch leaving small green caterpillars to feed on the leaves. In most cases, the cankerworm will not kill the trees; however repeated defoliation can weaken trees and make them more susceptible to other stresses, such as age, drought, other insects and disease.
Once they hatch in the spring, the cankerworms can balloon to other nearby trees. They are very light and can be blown from one tree to another. This is why it is important for neighbors to organize or "band together" when applying tree bands.
Why does Charlotte have a fall cankerworm problem?
For the past 20 years, the cankerworm population in Charlotte has continued to grow. Natural controls have not been adequate to bring the cankerworms to a level that isn't harmful to our tree canopy. Aerial spraying in 1992, 1998 and 2008 and other natural factors reduced the population for several years. The City started a banding program on street trees, while requesting homeowners and businesses to cooperate in 1990. The banding efforts have continued for the last 16 years. Entomologists cannot explain why the cankerworm populations continue to increase but the City's large concentration of old willow oaks may promote the infestation.
What effect will tree banding have on the cankerworm?
Tree banding in November and December is an effective way of controlling the cankerworm. By applying a glue barrier to the tree trunk, the wingless cankerworm moths are trapped as they climb the tree. For best results, trees should be banded around the last week of November. It is important to wait until most leaves have fallen from the trees so they don't get stuck to the tree bands.
How can I help control the fall cankerworm population?
The City of Charlotte is asking citizens to help control the cankerworm population by banding trees in their communities. To band a tree, the following materials are necessary and can be purchased at most hardware and garden stores: staples, staple gun, disposable elbow length gloves, roofing felt, cotton batting or fiber glass, Tanglefoot™ (glue) and a putty knife. For small trees, you can substitute electrical tape for the staples. Do not use nails.
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Fall cankerworm (Alsophila pometaria)
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Step 2: Position a band of roofing felt over the strip and attach it to the trees with the staple gun. Avoid using staples on small, young or thin barked trees. Instead use electrical tape to hold the bands.
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Step 3: Using disposable gloves and a putty knife, put a film of Tanglefoot™ (glue) directly on the band, approximately 1/8" thick.
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The Fall Cankerworm will be trapped on the tree band as it climbs the tree trunk.
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In order to be effective, all trees need to be banded. The worms feed on all types of trees. Large trees (taller than a two story house) are the main focus of banding. Small trees can also be banded.
The glue Tanglefoot™ should be applied after most of the leaves have fallen. If the trap becomes clogged with leaves or insects, you should clean it, renew the Tanglefoot™ or install a new trap. The bands should be removed during the first week of February.
There are other banding products available at some stores. For example, Bug Barrier™, is also effective against the Fall Cankerworm. Its design and convenience may work better for you. In addition, there are private contractors that will install bands on your trees for a fee.
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Tree Banding Supplies can be purchased at the following retail stores:
Myers Park Hardware
923 Providence Road
704-334-1613
Products: Large Quantity of Tanglefoot
Little Hardware Co.
1400 South Mint Street
704-333-3133
Products: Tanglefoot and Bug Barrier
Southern Ace Hardware Co.
3528 Wilkinson Boulevard
704-399-7131
Products: Insulation, Tarpaper, Tanglefoot and Paper, J.T. Eaton Gel Trap
Norwood Garden Center
8837 Albemarle Road
704-536-4848
Products: Tanglefoot
Potts Hardware
5201 Nations Ford Road
704-523-7112
Products: Tanglefoot
Blackhawk Hardware
4225 Park Road Shopping Center
704-525-2682
Products: 5lb. Tanglefoot, 15 oz. Tanglefoot, 15 oz. Tanglefoot with 50' band, Pre-coated Tanglefoot band, will cut banding by the foot
Organic Plant Healthcare
Organic Plant Health, LLC
626 West Charles Street
Matthews, NC 28105
704-841-1000
Faulk Brothers
5744 N. Tryon Street
704-596-7474
Products: All Tanglefoot products and banding kits
Jones Hardware Company
10100 Moore's Chapel Road
704-394-1231
Products: Tanglefoot
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