I just planted a few new jms and I noticed that one of them is loaded with tiny white flys of some kind. I can't even see them on the tree but if I give it a little shake, tons of them fly off. Anyone have any idea what they might be? Should I be concerned about them infesting other plants in my garden? Thanks for any help.
I'm afraid you've got whitefly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitefly. I'm hoping that the maple spent time in a greenhouse over last winter, where it got infected. If so, there's a good chance winter will kill them off. (That's my experience here, and we have far milder winters than you). Otherwise, they are a tremendous PITA and difficult to get rid of even by chemical means; there always seems to be a percentage of the population that lives, and the next generation is resistant. I'm very happy not to have them any more, they are a plague to the horticultural industry. HTH
