Knowledgebase

How can we protect a newly planted Pink Dogwood from Cicada damage? #750129

Asked May 15, 2021, 3:37 PM EDT

We enjoy reading Pamela Cole-Bennett's gardening articles in the Dayton Daily News. She recently wrote about the damage cicadas might do to new trees and suggested covering the trees with netting. The problem is that we can't find proper netting at any of the garden centers or big box centers. Someone suggested wrapping , at least the bottom of the tree, with cheese cloth . We are asking if that would protect the tree, and wondering where we might go to find the proper netting to cover the tree. Thank you!

Montgomery County Ohio

Expert Response

Hi there, I contacted a few big box stores and had the same results as you. So I did do a web search for 1/4" tree netting and did find that it was available on line at some of the big box store. We are not allowed to recommend companies so I just suggest you do a web search for that product.  Now as far as I have read about tree damage from Cicada, It is restricted to branches the size of a pencil. The females are picky about the size of the branch. I didn't find any reference of damage to trunks of trees of any size. You see they rely on the damaged twigs dropping to the ground. I experienced a 17 year emergence years ago. It is an interest phenomenon. To listen to the sound and to see them if they get disturbed and swarm from a tree. I hope this has helped you and wish you the best. 

Loading ...