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Woolly aphids! #465430

Asked June 25, 2018, 10:32 PM EDT

Hello, I have another question! I believe we have some woolly aphids on three amalanchier canadensis trees. These trees were installed about three years ago and have never been very robust, not sure why. But we just noticed the white fuzzy stuff under the leaves (see pix). I've done some reading about them, and about honeydew, sooty mold (which I don't see), etc. and I gather they're not usually a serious problem. My thought was to spray with neem oil, which seems to do no harm and often helps. However, I also read about the woolly ELM aphid, which eats the roots of the canadian serviceberry. I need to check our records of what trees are nearby, but presume if there are no elms then we can rule those out? An unrelated question: Can you identify the plant in the third photo? It has a woody trunk, long and thin, which tends to lean over from the weight of branches and leaves. The leaves are waxy and smell nice. We have these growing here and there in wild areas (along with blackberry, multiflora rose, and other brambles). Some have the little green pods in the photo, and some don't. I'm thinking this must be a fairly common plant. but the local Master Gardeners did not know.

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

We can't tell for sure from the photos whether these are woolly elm aphids. It is believed that all members of the Eriosoma genus have two hosts. They overwinter at the roots, but they do not "eat" roots; they do not have chewing mouthparts. They are not considered a serious problem in serviceberry and it is not necessary to apply any treatment. Very often, natural enemies (beneficial predatory insects) will catch up to aphids and help control them naturally. Rust disease and lacebugs tend to be the more serious problems in serviceberry.

The shrub in your third photo is a spicebush (Lindera benzoin). It is native to Maryland. https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewSpecies.php?species=1363 

ckc
Thanks, I'll relax about the woolly aphids. I guess "eat" was inaccurate, but I got the impression that they are bad for the roots where they overwinter. I will look for rust and lacebugs as well. These trees continue to live, but have not flourished at all. I'm pretty sure one suffered from under-watering when it was first put in, maybe the others did also. Spicebush, I'll take it! Can't say we noticed the blooms this spring, but it's really growing well in a few places and fits in with our plan for native and relatively "natural" habitat around the yard. Do you know if it takes well to transplanting or grows from cuttings?
The Question Asker Replied June 28, 2018, 10:45 PM EDT
We don't have a lot of research on this but what have seen "Propagation by cuttings is difficult, but propagation by seed is successful with a cold stratification treatment of 3 months "  It may be easier to source these from native plant nurseries or local native plant sales.
As far as transplanting, it depends on how big it is and how much of a good rootball you could move with it for least disturbance.
And certainly aftercare and keeping up with watering etc. for the first 18 mos. of establishment is important.

cm

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d890

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