Knowledgebase

Tree spraying to prevent beetles #863772

Asked April 08, 2024, 10:16 PM EDT

My property has conifers and honey locust trees. How often should these trees be sprayed to prevent "beetle" infestations? 

Denver County Colorado

Expert Response

I'm not sure what kind of beetles you're referring to. There are different beetles that can attack different conifers. In general, beetles do not attack healthy trees and trees aren't usually sprayed to prevent beetles. If your trees are under attack, we need to know what kind of conifers you have in order to recommend treatment.
As for your honey locust, if you see cankers on the tree then it should be treated. However, cankers are not caused by beetles. Here is a link to a CSU Fact Sheet on honey locust diseases that you might find helpful: https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/garden/02939.pdf 
If you are referring to Japanese beetles then that is a different story. CSU has a Fact Sheet on Japanese beetles which will help you understand the life cycle of the beetle. Japanese beetles are hard to control and we will have to learn to live with them in Colorado. Here is a link to the Japanese beetle fact sheet: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/japanese-beetle-5-601/
Colorado Master Gardener, Denver County Replied April 11, 2024, 2:25 PM EDT
Thank you for your response. We are not sure what type of conifers we have on our property. I've attached some photos, and perhaps you will recognize them. 

Is there any possibility that the Extension Service offers an in-person evaluation for properties like ours? We want to do all we can to maintain our beautiful trees. We would certainly be grateful for your expert advice before we contract with a tree service company! 
Nancy Morton
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Greg, etc. hike_1601.JPG

On Thu, Apr 11, 2024 at 2:25 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied April 11, 2024, 6:02 PM EDT
The mature conifers are too far away in the first picture for me to be 100% confident of my ID but they appear to be pines. The shorter conifer next to the sign looks like a dwarf mugo pine.

We can try to give you better IDs if you send us close-ups of a branch that shows the needles and a cone if one is available. Measuring the length of the needles is helpful, too.  If you take more photos, hold your hand behind the needles which will help focus the camera on the pine needles rather than the background.

No, I'm sorry, Denver County Extension doesn't do site visits.

Colorado Master Gardener, Denver County Replied April 13, 2024, 2:47 PM EDT
Thank you so much for your help! Yes, indeed, the smaller conifer is a mugo. Here are a couple more photos that may help identify the large trees.
Nancy Morton
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Greg, etc. hike_1601.JPG

On Sat, Apr 13, 2024 at 2:47 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied April 14, 2024, 6:47 PM EDT
The cone looks like there is a recurved prickle on the end of the scales so that means your Pines are Ponderosa and I suspect your original question was asking if and how often you should spray your trees for Ips beetle. Here is a link to an article discussing Ips that should answer your questions written by CSU Extension emeritus professor Dr. Whitney Cranshaw
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/ips-beetles-5-558/
Colorado Master Gardener, Denver County Replied April 16, 2024, 3:20 PM EDT

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