What's Wrong with the Trees?

Natt · 05-17-2010, 11:05 AM

That bamboo stuff is called Japanese Knotweed. It is terribly invasive. Make sure that if you use any equipment to cut it down that NO pieces remain on the mower or whatever, because it will spread from just a small cutting. My dad used to try to kill it with herbicides, to no avail. Try vinegar. White vinegar mixed half and half with water. Dump it on well, so the roots get it too. Works for a small area, but it is difficult stuff.

The Eagle · 05-17-2010, 12:00 PM

Hi Island Girl,
Burlington is where I live! That's what's killing the trees, down there, the worms. Up here, they are probably right about frost, since they have no "poop" falling. I DO remember in 1979 when the Gypsy Catapillers invaded NE. In Burlington you COULD heard them munching, and the poop (when it rained) was slipperry, just like ICE in the driveways. It was as thick as the Canadian Geese Poop. There's nothing we can do either, because they are everywhere. I live off "Cambridge Street," near "Pinehurst."
"The Eagle"

JonLevis · 05-17-2010, 12:18 PM

I have catepillars like crazy in my yard this year (SE Mass). A couple of my "pretty" trees have been eaten down to the branches, and no matter how many times I wash my truck, it is still covered in poop! Can actually hear it falling on a quiet night.

The Eagle · 05-18-2010, 07:07 AM

When we were "invaded" by the Gypsy Moth Caterpillers, we found the only (safest for the environment) way to kill them is to mix up some "Dish detergent" (Like Ivory Liquid) with water, and spray them. It blocks their pores and kills them. It works really well, and FAST. They just curl up and fall off the trees.
"The Eagle"

SIKSUKR · 05-18-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Natt

That bamboo stuff is called Japanese Knotweed. It is terribly invasive. Make sure that if you use any equipment to cut it down that NO pieces remain on the mower or whatever, because it will spread from just a small cutting. My dad used to try to kill it with herbicides, to no avail. Try vinegar. White vinegar mixed half and half with water. Dump it on well, so the roots get it too. Works for a small area, but it is difficult stuff.

I have some of it at my mill building in Manch and it is very hard to eradicate. This stuff grows right through 4 inches of asphalt we put down. When treating it I found that fall(after its done growing) is the best time so the herbicide gets to the roots instead of heading up the plant.

CrawfordCentury · 05-18-2010, 02:35 PM

Aside from both being pests, they have in common their invasiveness.

Gypsy moths were imported here in an effort to create a domestic silk industry. A few went on the lam, got busy, did the be fruitful and multiply thingy...and voila!

I seem to remember a road in Haverhill, Mass. was so thick with the kittypillers that they caused accidents. I was 7 or 8 during the worst of the plague - and remember well that greenish ooze that came outta them. We used to step on their bums til their heads popped of, with a torrent of ooze coming outta them - prolly what the devil makes condemned souls use for toothpaste.

After a couple years, some virus whacked them down good. They'd stop in their tracks, go limpy, and that was it.

05-17-2010, 11:05 AM	#1
Natt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 120 Thanks: 125 Thanked 30 Times in 23 Posts	About that bamboo... That bamboo stuff is called Japanese Knotweed. It is terribly invasive. Make sure that if you use any equipment to cut it down that NO pieces remain on the mower or whatever, because it will spread from just a small cutting. My dad used to try to kill it with herbicides, to no avail. Try vinegar. White vinegar mixed half and half with water. Dump it on well, so the roots get it too. Works for a small area, but it is difficult stuff.

05-17-2010, 12:00 PM	#2
The Eagle Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Burlington MA & Moultonboro NH Posts: 218 Thanks: 17 Thanked 142 Times in 33 Posts	Burlington MA trees Hi Island Girl, Burlington is where I live! That's what's killing the trees, down there, the worms. Up here, they are probably right about frost, since they have no "poop" falling. I DO remember in 1979 when the Gypsy Catapillers invaded NE. In Burlington you COULD heard them munching, and the poop (when it rained) was slipperry, just like ICE in the driveways. It was as thick as the Canadian Geese Poop. There's nothing we can do either, because they are everywhere. I live off "Cambridge Street," near "Pinehurst." "The Eagle"

05-18-2010, 07:07 AM	#4
The Eagle Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Burlington MA & Moultonboro NH Posts: 218 Thanks: 17 Thanked 142 Times in 33 Posts	Gypsy Moth Caterpillers When we were "invaded" by the Gypsy Moth Caterpillers, we found the only (safest for the environment) way to kill them is to mix up some "Dish detergent" (Like Ivory Liquid) with water, and spray them. It blocks their pores and kills them. It works really well, and FAST. They just curl up and fall off the trees. "The Eagle"

05-18-2010, 02:35 PM	#6
CrawfordCentury Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somewhere betwixt Gonic and Chocorua Posts: 191 Thanks: 13 Thanked 30 Times in 21 Posts	bamboo and gypsy moths Aside from both being pests, they have in common their invasiveness. Gypsy moths were imported here in an effort to create a domestic silk industry. A few went on the lam, got busy, did the be fruitful and multiply thingy...and voila! I seem to remember a road in Haverhill, Mass. was so thick with the kittypillers that they caused accidents. I was 7 or 8 during the worst of the plague - and remember well that greenish ooze that came outta them. We used to step on their bums til their heads popped of, with a torrent of ooze coming outta them - prolly what the devil makes condemned souls use for toothpaste. After a couple years, some virus whacked them down good. They'd stop in their tracks, go limpy, and that was it. __________________ Plant a garden. Heat with wood. And thank a veteran.

The Following User Says Thank You to Natt For This Useful Post:
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05-17-2010, 12:18 PM	#3
JonLevis Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fay's Boatyard & Canton, MA Posts: 79 Thanks: 18 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	I have catepillars like crazy in my yard this year (SE Mass). A couple of my "pretty" trees have been eaten down to the branches, and no matter how many times I wash my truck, it is still covered in poop! Can actually hear it falling on a quiet night.