Location: Nelson, BC. Zone 5. My father-in-law planted this specimen ( x adstringens) in 1988. It did well for many years. For the first 10 years it was not sprayed and had not problems. Then, we were instructed to always spray with dormant oil, twice if the weather & time co-operate. After about 15 years (2003) at a height of 12-15 feet, it began having issues: infested w bug after bug. tent caterpillars (we cut the affected part and burned it). We usually have what seems to be minor infestations of a 10 mm light green inch worm which drops from a thread into my hair :(-. It also has light damage from bugs that roll the leaves. & what I think might be shot-gun beetle. Right now, Canada Day, many leaves have dead brown chunks - starting at the distall portion and covering 1/3 to 1/2 of the leaf. Bottom line: the tree is no longer an attractive feature in my garden. Nor are the babies it throws. I don't usually remove the babies until June or July. Any and all recommendations will be welcome. Thank you. Happy gardening. Kris
Ug, sounds like more work than its worth. How about a tour of local parks, natural hiking trail type parks, not manicured golf course type ones. Pick out a similar sized tree that does well in a similar spot with minimal care and plant one. Heck, perhaps even a cultivar of one.
Thanks. I think you are correct. I'll have to check with the family - don't want to hurt peoples feelings. Kris
