A Gardeners Forum Forums Members History Forum Life 2005 Emergency

Please look at these pictures and tell me what's wrong with my Arizona Cypress. Monday this tree was healthy. Now it's dead with these little pine cone like things hanging all over it. The trees beside it are healthy but they too have these pine cone things on them. HELP!!





This last picture is the tree beside it. That's what this one looked like Monday. Beautiful.

omg, Bestofour, I came running over here when you posted in Banter, but this problem is WAY out of my league! Oh please I'm praying someone else here knows the answer for you. What a heartbreaking disaster this is.

Merme

hi Sheri,

I think those are bagworms.Have you done a search on the forum?

I've seen them before on friends' evergreens.
I don't know a solution.But that's what they look like.

I am with Merme on that one. I dont know anything that would kill an entire tree so fast but I hope you get the answer and QUICK!

They don't look like bagworms. It looks and feels very woody.

I'm sorry, Sheri. I don't know the answer, either.

Dianna

don't know either but looks like some kind of nest or hive----parasite?

Duckie, I have to apologize. I think you're right. Bagworms. Does anyone know how to treat this in this stage?

Bestofour, after doing a small bit of research for you, the best I could come up with is this:

Send a PM to The plant Doc from what I understand, he knows a bunch about bagworms.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Merme

I googled bagworms, and got this link.. if you look at the bottom of the article, it may give you a ray of hope..
This is a PDF file, you'll need adobe acrobat to read it..
Bagworms .

Hope it helps some.
Meg

Oh what a nightmare you have on your hands. From the file Meg gave, there does not seem to be an easy cure. I am so sorry!

I read the file too, Bestofour, and can't quite believe what you are up against. I'm still hoping that an experienced person will be able to give you some assistance with this.

Please be sure to keep us updated!

Merme

OMG. I just read the file. Looks like a bad bagworm infestation and once they get done killing the infected tree, they will move to the uninfested ones.

What a nightmare. Best of luck!

Sheri, I also found this info:

"The least expensive way to control bagworms is to pick them off the plant and destroy them. If there is a large population this may not be practical. There are several insecticides labeled for bagworm control. A biological control is Bt, which stands for Bacillus thuringiensis. Bt is a bacteria that causes the worms to get sick, stop feeding and die. For best control the bagworms need to be treated early in their life. They generally start hatching in mid to late May and hatch through mid June. For more information on bagworm control contact your county Extension office, Master Gardener hotline or local nursery."

I also read this:

"Warnings:
Although Bt is organic and safe to use, it will kill all types of caterpillars, including butterfly larvae. Spray only the plants that are affected by the bagworms and mix only the amount of spray you will use at one time."

<sigh> Not an easy decision - and probably not a cheap remedy either. Sorry I couldn't find anything more encouraging

I would recommend trying to find a tree dr that can come out to treat it. A tree that size, gonna be impossible for you to get them all..

We used to pick the bags the trees and stomp on them.

I don't remember the shrubs dying, maybe because we caught the worms before they could cover the entire shrub.

Pick off all the bags and have a bonfire!!

lol! should read pick the bags off the trees. No I don't go around stomping trees!!

oh too bad, rue! I for one would LOVE to see you stomp some trees....



But seriously, Bestofour, what is the update on this grievesome situation?

Merme