Spotted Lanternfly infestation

My neighbor has a large tree of heaven growing on their property with limbs that extend over our garden. This year we noticed an absolute explosion in the number of spotted lanternflies in our garden, as well as a near-continuous rain of sticky droplets of honeydew (spotted lanternfly secretion) that covers our patio and garden. Clearly there is an infestation in the neighboring tree. I’m wondering if anyone else is experiencing this and what mitigation strategies you have employed? Our immediate concern is the sooty mold and just general ick-factor that keeps me from enjoying our garden; but I haven’t been able to find any useful guidance from the city or state on what to do. Is the only solution to remove a tree when it is such a well-established colony? Would removal of the branches immediately above our property help?

kamkuaichio

in General Discussion 1 year and 10 months ago

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evan | 1 year and 10 months ago

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Seconding Augustiner’s point – tree of heaven is incredibly persistent, requiring a full removal of the root system (which may cross into multiple yards) to avoid resurgence. We had a roughly 3 story tree fall down during a storm several years back (miraculously causing no damage); we had it fully removed, including the stump, but there’s still a little patch that attempts a vigorous comeback in the warmer months. Not a fan! On a loosely related note, part of the appeal of the tree back when it was introduced to NYC in the late 1800s was its ability to repel inchworms, which were apparently a real scourge of the era’s greenery.

Rick | 1 year and 10 months ago

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The company I used. https://tarzantreeremovalservice.com/

Augustiner | 1 year and 10 months ago

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Make sure to poison the tree a month before it gets cut. It has one big sideways root which will start sprouting new trees non stop.
If the neighbor cares about trees they’ll be interested to learn that this is an invasive species. If they don’t care they’ll probably be happy if you pay for removal.

kamkuaichio | 1 year and 10 months ago

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Thanks, Rick – this seems like it may be the only way to go, especially if it’s just a matter of time before the tree starts to deteriorate. It’s also helpful to have a sense of the costs. Who did you use to do the tree removal?

Guest User | 1 year and 10 months ago

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Google spotted lanternfly trap. The Bronx zoo has these up all over the place for a couple of years. I see the flies trapped in them when I visit

Rick | 1 year and 10 months ago

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I just went through this. The tree of Heaven, aka the Ailanthus is the number one choice, host tree for the Spotted Lantern fly. I had no choice but to take it down because over time the flies will kill the tree and limbs will fall. My tree was very large , well over four stories tall and branches traveled over other yards. I had an army of guys with a tree service take it down , chop it up and bring it through the first floor to the street. They had a large chipper and they safely did the job. Cost me $8K, that hurt, but it really had to be done . Someone could get hurt or property damaged when the tree starts rotting away due to the flies killing it. If your neighbor isn’t helpful with your concern about the tree, call your insurance company and they will be proactive with your neighbor.

kamkuaichio | 1 year and 10 months ago

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That’s correct. Unfortunately it’s a very large tree and I might find some resistance from my neighbor to the idea of removal. I don’t know if there’s much else that can be done but curious if others have tried anything…

xuytbjicwnofjdde | 1 year and 10 months ago

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Isn’t tree of heaven an invasive species itself, and a primary source of food for spotted lantern fly? Maybe I’m wrong. If not, seems like complete removal of the tree is a no-brainer.