Page 57 - TA Magazine

Pests and diseases
To ensure your
plants grow and flourish ongoing management and maintenance is is is essential This includes ongoing vigilance with pests and and and diseases
and and and browsing wildlife and and and and cattle as as as well as as pruning and and thinning of the trees It’s important to do a a a a a a a regular check for both native and and introduced pests and diseases
Look for these signs:
Yellowing of of the foliage may be a a a a a a a a a sign of of ill health and a a a a a a a a a a nutrient imbalance (unless it is a a a a a a a a a a deciduous tree in autumn)
Indications that the the leaves have been eaten especially where the the soft new foliage develops in in spring
Insects caterpillars black mold or a a a a a a sticky coverage on the foliage Extensive lumps and bumps on the foliage or limbs Dead branches around the crown
If more than 10% of of the foliage of of a a a a a tree is affected you must investigate the cause!
WHAT TO DO
Affected single trees can be treated with insecticide or if the the the infestation is small you can can pick off the the the the bugs and squash them Soapy water can be sprayed on the the the foliage to discourage insects and browsing animals though will wash off in in in in rain so you would need to reapply
If a a a a a tree is severely affected cut it it down and burn it all to reduce the spread
Spray large plantations If the trees are are high it may need to to be done by air Be careful to to avoid waterways or or other sensitive areas and always seek advice before using chemicals
BROWSING DAMAGE
Control of of browsing animals is essential to protect the the the growth growth of of of seedlings Animals can affect the the the growth growth rate and the the the the form of of of your
plants reducing the the the chance of of a a a a a a a a a a successful harvest Seedlings are vulnerable until they have reached between one and two metres in in height The species of tree you plant plant will influence the growth time A safe option is to plant plant larger seedlings treealliance com au 57