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Q. How can I prevent a webworm invasion this spring?
A. The viewer who emailed this question speaks for many of us. He lost a significant oak this summer after two years of defoliation. According to Skip, many gardeners have lost big trees this summer due to drought. We just don't think about watering established trees! But with prolonged lack of rain, especially if the tree is stressed due to insect damage or disease like powdery mildew, extra water (slow and long) and a layer of compost will help them fight stress. Plan to do it now to build up the tree's strength, and carry it on next year if rain eludes us. To deal with webworms, here's an answer from Wizzie Brown, Travis County Cooperative Extension Agent-IPM: "There is no real way to predict what the population may be like next year- it could be that we have another 'outbreak' year or it could be that it stabilizes. I recommend that people just let populations go; trees have survived many insect outbreaks without our help. But if people really feel that they need to take action, they can consider a horticultural oil to smother the eggs (the cankerworm will be in the egg stage from mid-May until mid-March, so there's plenty of time to treat) or they can treat with Bt in mid-March when the larvae begin to emerge (they need to make sure they scout the area on a regular basis because emergence is based on weather conditions, so I cannot give an exact date they will emerge)."
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Beautyberry does best in a partial shade location. In fall the arching branches load down with clusters of purple fruits. A white fruiting form is also available. This plant adds interest to shady areas of the landscape. Provide dependable moisture levels for best results. This is a low care plant that is seldom bothered by pests and diseases. Remember, fall and winter is prime time for planting trees and shrubs!
