How to Protect Oak Trees From Bugs

Protect your oak tree from bugs.

Oak trees grow all over the world, and can live more than 200 years. Like all trees, oaks are susceptible to bug infestation. Bug infestation is more common to in weak, dying and dead trees. The best defense against infestation is maintaining healthy oak trees. Keeping your trees healthy will ensure that they live a long life with minimal bug affliction.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Plant fertilizer
• Pruning sheers
• Oak insecticide
• Bug bands

Instructions

1. Choose your planting site carefully. A good planting site will help to protect against wind burn, damage from freezing and scalding from the sun. Do not select a planting site that has poor drainage.

2. Fertilize and water your oak trees properly, in accordance with the maturity of the tree. This will help to stimulate growth and minimize plant stress. Stressed trees are more susceptible to insect infestation.

3. Prune your oak tree during the winter months, when the tree is in hibernation. This gives the wounds on the limbs time to heal before bug season. Remove any dead, dying or damaged branches, as well as branches that rub together. Crossing branches create open wounds that can attract insects.

4. Protect recently transplanted oak trees with oak-specific insecticide, following the package directions for application. Newly transplanted trees have been stressed and may be susceptible to bugs.

5. Wrap the trunk of the oak in sticky bug bands during infestation season. The bug bands will trap any grubs or borers that travel out of the soil and try to climb up the tree.

6. Avoid using lawn care machinery, such as lawn mowers or weed eaters, within 2 feet of the oak tree. Damage from these machines can cause open wounds in the trunk, which will attract insects.

References

• Texas A&M Extension Service: Managing Wood-boring Insects
• Forest Health Protection Southern Region: Oak Pests