Knowing Your Local Trees, Pests, and How to Properly Protect Them Both
Trees are one of the most valuable assets on your property, but in our area of Knoxville, Maryville, Sevierville and surrounding areas, they face a number of threats – and pests are top of that list. Left untreated, infestations can weaken or kill your trees, create safety hazards, and impact your landscape’s health and appearance.
at ECR Total Landscapes, we’ve seen firsthand how quickly a healthy tree can turn into a liability when pests go unnoticed. Here’s what local homeowners should know about the most common tree pests in Knoxville, Maryville, Sevier County, and surrounding areas, how to spot them, and how to protect your landscape.
Common Tree Pests in Knoxville, TN
- Emerald Ash Borer
- Tree Target : Ash Trees
- Signs to Watch For :
- Thinning Canopy
- D-Shaped exit holes in the bark
- S-Shaped tunnels under bark
- Why They Pose a Problem : This invasive pest kills trees fast – often within 1-3 years.
- Southern Pine Beetle
- Tree Target : Pine Trees
- Signs to Watch For
- Pitch Tubes (small popcorn-like sap balls)
- Blue-stained sapwood
- Bark flaking off in sections
- Why They Pose a Problem : They bore into the trunk and cut off nutrient flow, leading to quick decline.
- Bagworms
- Tree Target : Cedars, Junipers, Arborvitae
- Signs to Watch For
- Hanging “bags” of dead foliage and silk on branches
- Browning of needles or leaf loss
- Why They Pose a Problem : These pests can defoliate and weaken trees in just one season
- Aphids & Scale Insects
- Tree Target : Maples, Oaks, Crape Myrtles, and others
- Signs to Watch For
- Stick residue (honeydew) on leaves or ground
- Sooty black mold on branches
- Clusters of tiny bugs or bumpy scales on twigs
- Why They Pose a Problem : They sap nutrients and attract mold that blocks sunlight
What You Can Do to Protect Your Trees?
Schedule Regular Inspections
Don’t wait for the damage to appear before you try and counteract damage done to your landscape by pests. Stay aware of what your trees look like during different seasons – maybe even take a picture of your trees at the beginning of each season so you can watch how your trees are behaving and growing. Many tree and landscaping companies offer diagnostic services, so if you have a suspicion that your trees may have some small intruders have made a home in them, set up an appointment.
Keep in mind, many companies will come out and take a look at the health of your trees at no charge.
Keep Trees Healthy
Healthy trees are more resilient when faced with the initial introduction of pests. Taking preventative measures like aeration, fertilization, proper irrigation, tree trimming, and pruning will help keep your trees strong and more likely to withstand the early stages of pests. Our team offers these services, and many more, to ensure that your landscaping and trees are in tip-top shape and much more likely to stand the test of time!
Act Fast After Storms
Pests love damaged trees. Storms often create tears in bark, broken limbs, and easy access points to make a home for themselves. Be aware of large tears in your tree’s surface, large limbs or branches that have been torn off, and obvious weak spots – these make perfect entry points for these types of insects. If your landscape has been hit hard with a storm and you are feeling uneasy about the health of your trees – reach out to a professional to do a field health check right away to treat the issue sooner rather than later.
Consider Professional Treatment
DIY sprays and other at-home treatments rarely solve the issue for the long-term. When looking for professional solutions for a pest infestation on your trees, be sure to contact a licensed and insured company who hold a charter number and are authorized to treat with the correct applications.
If you are a pet-loving home, also be sure to get all the information on the pet-friendliness of their products and ask about any guidelines you need to follow to protect the health of your furry friends, and any little ones you have running around in your yard. Safety should be your top priority in these situations.
Serving Knoxville, TN and Surrounding Areas
At ECR Total Landscapes, we proudly serve our neighbors in the Knoxville, Maryville, Alcoa, Sevierville, Townsend, and Lenoir City areas by helping upkeep their trees and landscaping to the highest standard. Our mission is to make sure that your property is a safe and healthy environment from root to tree top. We provide tree inspections to put you and your family at ease – offering diagnostic calls, emergency services, and other solutions for homeowners and business across east Tennessee to give them peace of mind when it comes to their landscape. Whether it is a single tree, or an entire property – we can help!
Need Help With a Tree Problem?
Don’t wait for pests to destroy your trees. If you’ve noticed any of these signs – or just want peace of mind – contact ECR Total Landscapes today for a tree health inspection. We’re here to help protect your landscape and your investment.
Call us Today🪵or request a free consultation on our website / email us!
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