Gypsy moth infestation

[rf2]

I was out driving and in the woods west of Ottawa this weekend (as far as the Lanark Highlands), and noticed that many trees are completely defoliated by gypsy moth caterpillars. Caterpillars are everywhere. It's very bad. I hope these trees survive. Has anyone else noticed this?

[impact]

Yes, I was at my buddies cottage in Sharbot lake last summer and the oak trees were devastated by them. Not a leaf in sight.
He was supposed to get aerial spraying done this spring along with his neighbours.
The trees cannot take repeated stressful defoliate year after year.

[3030]

Yes the same here in the bush it sounds like rain there is so much crap falling

[rf2]

Yes the same here in the bush it sounds like rain there is so much crap falling

Yes, I noticed the same.

[rf2]

I am pretty sure that the area where I noticed this problem was not really affected last year. I started going to this area in August and throughout the fall last year, and the tree canopy appeared normal. Apparently, some trees can regrow leaves after losing them in the spring, but I doubt that the canopy would appear completely normal.

The last infestation that I remember that was this bad was in the early eighties, when I was just a kid. My brother and I and our friends certainly did our part back then to get rid of these pests. We found so many creative ways to kill them, and we did it by the hundreds. I used to feel bad about that, and thought that the neighbours probably thought we were animals. That was before I realized that these caterpillars are actually an invasive species. Right now, if I saw kids doing what we used to do, I would thank them!

[greatwhite]

It was either 1990 or 1991 can't remember now but I was doing tree spraying up in the Muskokas for what I called the Gypsy Wars they were eating everything in sight pine trees, spruce etc. Hardwood trees will generally survive but Pines will die. I was climbing 40 ft ladders with a full respirator and wearing rain pants and rain coat and spraying the pesticide Sevin XLR Plus 75 ft and covering whole forest we do do about 50 properties a day mostly spraying for the rich on their properties.

[GuyJR]

My property in Perth County is totally covered in them. So far its mostly the Poplar or Aspen type trees being chowed upon. Some of the smaller trees are already 100% consumed. Ash dead, Elm dying, now this. My trees are taking an kicking the last few years.

[MikePal]

I am pretty sure that the area where I noticed this problem was not really affected last year.

I was going to say...last year was worse here. Hardly a nest to be seen this year. I make a point to drive around and clip the nests off and burn them every spring.

[canadaman30]

I'm just south of Bancroft and there lots everywhere. Devastating to the trees

[rf2]

I was going to say...last year was worse here. Hardly a nest to be seen this year. I make a point to drive around and clip the nests off and burn them every spring.

The ones that make those nests (tents) are not gypsy moth caterpillars.