Tree Diseases, Pests and Invasive Plants

What is it?

Lymantria dispar dispar (LDD) moth (European Gypsy moth) is a non-native forest insect considered to be a serious defoliator of trees and shrubs in North America. Mature caterpillars are 50 millimetres long, dark in colour and hairy. A row of five pairs of blue dots, followed by a row of six pairs of red dots runs down the back of the caterpillar. The male moth is light brown and slender, and the female moth is white.

Damage caused

During the larval stage, a single LDD moth caterpillar can eat an average of one square metre of leaves. This can quickly devastate trees and forests when large-scale infestations occur and defoliation becomes widespread. After severe or repeated defoliation, trees can die or become so weakened that they are vulnerable to secondary infestations.

If left untreated, LDD moths have the potential to impact 409,000 trees — about 23 per cent of the town’s tree canopy.

Tree species affected

• Oak
• Maple
• Poplar
• Birch
• Other hardwoods & conifers

What you can do

Residents are encouraged to report LDD moth infestations to ServiceOakville and to remove caterpillars when found. They can be scooped into a bucket of soapy water. Residents can also put a sticky band around the trunk of the tree to trap caterpillars in the spring to prevent them from reaching the upper canopy and defoliating the trees. LDD moth egg masses (1-2 inches long, looks like felt) can also be physically removed from trees using a branch, trowel or any tool to dislodge the egg masses. To destroy the egg masses, collect them in a container filled with soapy water.

What we’re doing

The town continues to track LDD moth populations and new outbreaks. Visit the LDD moth page for information on the town’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan and notice of aerial sprays.

If a suspected case of LDD moth is called in on town property, a tree inspection will be scheduled to evaluate the health of the affected tree. Given the severity of the defoliation and size of the affected area, treatment may be considered. Action will depend on the outcome of the assessment.

What is it?

Aphids are invasive, small, soft-bodied insects that feed on plants and trees by sucking sap from leaves and stems. They excrete a sugary substance called honeydew, which drips down on the surrounding area and promotes growth of a harmless mold that can stain leaves. Populations are at their peak during the late summer, and decline with cooler weather in the fall.

Damage caused

Leaves affected by aphids can have spotty, yellow discolorations on the underside, and leaves can dry out, wilt or curl. The symptoms are mainly cosmetic and do not affect tree health or structure

Tree species affected

• Lindens

What you can do

Most trees tolerate high populations of aphids and residents should not be concerned about the risk to their trees. Using a hard jet of water from a hose or an insecticidal soap spray can reduce their populations. Do not use broad-spectrum insecticides as they also kill ladybugs and other beneficial insects that feed on aphids or are a food source for native bird populations.

What we’re doing

If a suspected case of aphids is called in on town property, a tree inspection is scheduled to evaluate the health of the affected tree. An action plan will depend on the outcome of the assessment. Given the severity of the honeydew accumulation, treatment may be considered.

What is it?

Asian Long Horned Beetle (ALHB) is a highly destructive invasive insect, which has long segmented antennae and 20 white dots on its back. Adults are robust insects, 20-35 millimetres in length and 7-12 millimetres in width.

Female adults chew pits into the bark where they lay a single egg, resembling a grain of rice, which hatches within one to two weeks. When larvae feed on a tree’s inner bark, creating foamy sap may be visible in the pits.

Damage caused

Mature larvae bore tunnels into the tree, which structurally weaken the tree. This cuts off nutrient and water transport within the tree and the tree begins to die starting in the upper canopy and moving down. Tree leaves may wilt and the canopy may appear sparse. This eventually leads to the tree dying.

Asian Long Horned Beetles have the potential to impact 481,000 trees — about 42 per cent of the town’s leaf area.

Tree species affected

• Maple
• Birch
• Poplar
• Willow
• What you can do

If you think you have seen the beetle or signs of its damage within Oakville, please take a picture or capture it if possible and place it in a ziplock bag. Report your findings to ServiceOakville and the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342. ALHB may be confused with some native insects. Please refer to the CFIA Asian Longhorned Beetle factsheet when identifying ALHB.

What we’re doing

ALHB has not been detected in Oakville, however, given the severity of a possible outbreak, the town continues to monitor for signs of its presence.

If a suspected case of ALHB is called in on town property, a tree inspection will be scheduled and the CFIA will be contacted.

What is it?

Box Elder Bugs are a pest native to Southern Ontario. Adult Box Elder Bugs are about 1/2-inch long, black with orange or red markings, including three stripes on their back, right behind the head. Their wings lay flat over their bodies, overlapping each other to form an ‘X’.

Starting in mid‑July, they move to female seed-bearing trees where they lay eggs on trunks, branches, and leaves. They are rarely found on male Manitoba maple trees.

Damage caused

Although they can be present in high numbers when feeding, there is typically no long-term health effects to the tree.

Tree species affected

• Manitoba maple

What you can do

Most trees are able to tolerate high populations of Box Elder Bugs and residents should not be concerned about the risk to their trees.

What we’re doing

Since the Box Elder Bug is native and does not significantly impact tree health or structure, there is currently no program in place to manage this insect.

What is it?

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that attacks and kills untreated ash trees. The insect is metallic green and 8.5-13.5 millimetres in length. The adult leaves D-shaped exit holes on the bark of infected trees.

Damage caused

Females lay eggs in bark crevices, and the resulting larvae chew S-shaped paths in the living tissue of the tree. This cuts off the flow of water and nutrients to the tree, resulting in wilted or yellow foliage, and eventually, the tree will die.

Tree species affected

• All ash tree species

What you can do

Residents should remove ash trees that have not been treated. If trees have been previously treated and do not have more than 30 per cent canopy dieback, continuing treatment may preserve the tree.

Residents can also play an active role in renewing the urban forest, and replacing the canopy lost due to EAB. For more information, please visit the Tree Planting page.

What we’re doing

The town has a strategy to manage EAB in Oakville. To learn more about the town’s EAB management and canopy replacement programs, please visit the Emerald Ash Borer page.

What is it?

Cankerworm, also known as inchworm, is a native insect found throughout most of Canada. There are two species of cankerworm, spring cankerworm and fall cankerworm. The larvae vary in colour from pale green to almost black. The adult moth is grey and the female moths are wingless. After feeding, cankerworm spin down and hang from trees on thin silken webs.

Damage caused

In its larval stage, cankerworm defoliates trees. Initial feeding causes a shot-hole appearance in the leaves, but advanced feeding results in the entire leaf being eaten. Healthy trees will usually survive a moderate single-year defoliation. At normal population levels, cankerworms are an important food supply for many of the native species of birds that live in Oakville’s urban forest.

Tree species affected

• Manitoba maple
• American elm
• Ash
• Basswood
• Bur oak
• Siberian elm
• Aspen
• White birch
• Fruit trees

What you can do

Residents can band tree trunks with a sticky material to trap the wingless female moths. This prevents their movement to the upper canopies of trees where they lay their eggs. Sticky bands must be applied in the autumn and early spring. If concerned regarding the safety of a town tree, please call ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601.

What we’re doing

The town successfully completed an aerial spray application of the biological treatment Bacillus thuringiensis Kurstaki (BtK) in the spring of 2022 to control LDD (European Gypsy) Moth and cankerworm infestation levels in town woodlands. For more information, visit our LDD Moth page.

If a suspected case of cankerworm is called in on town property, a tree inspection is scheduled to evaluate the health of the affected tree. Given the severity of the defoliation and size of the affected area, treatment may be considered. Action will depend on the outcome of the assessment.

What is it?

Forest tent caterpillars are native to North America and are a widespread defoliator of hardwood trees. Outbreaks occur every 10 to 12 years and can last three to six years. Adult moths are brown with three dark bands across each forewing and are active from late June to early August. Eggs are laid in bands of 100 or more and cemented together to completely encircle twigs. Larvae emerge in the spring during bud break. The full-grown caterpillar is 50 millimetres long, brown, hairy, and has a blue stripe along each side along with keyhole-shaped white spots along the back.

Contrary to their name, forest tent caterpillars do not form a tent, and should not be confused with eastern tent caterpillars.

Damage caused

Forest tent caterpillars defoliate trees. Severe and sustained infestation can reduce the growth of trees and kill branches. This can result in tree death, especially if the tree is already stressed.

Tree species affected

• Trembling aspen & other poplars
• White birch
• Sugar maple
• Oak

What you can do

If an infestation is noticed during the spring, remove the caterpillars from the tree and place them into a bucket of soapy water. If egg clusters are noticed during the winter, these can be removed and destroyed. If you are worried about the safety of an infected town tree, please call ServiceOakville.

What we’re doing

If a suspected case of forest tent caterpillar is called in on town property, a tree inspection will be scheduled to evaluate the health of the affected tree. Depending on the severity of the defoliation and size of the affected area, treatment may be considered. Action will depend on the outcome of the assessment.

What is it?

The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) is an aphid-like insect. The HWA egg sacs look like small cotton balls or clumps of snow located at the base of needles. Wind, animals and human activity can spread HWA.

To date, two detections of HWA have occurred in Ontario: Etobicoke in 2012 and Niagara Falls in 2013. These populations have since been destroyed, and the region continues to be monitored for new infestations. In 2017, HWA was detected in Southwestern Nova Scotia.

Damage caused

HWA attacks and kills hemlock trees by feeding on nutrient and water storage cells at the base of needles.

Tree species affected

• Hemlock

What you can do

If you suspect a town tree of being infested with HWA, please call ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 with the location and approximate size of the infestation.

Residents should monitor their privately owned hemlock trees to ensure early detection of HWA.

What we’re doing

If a suspected case of HWA is called in on town property, a tree inspection will be scheduled to evaluate the health of the affected tree and the CFIA will be notified.

What is it?

Anthracnose is a general term for a group of fungal diseases that cause similar symptoms. It attacks young shoots and leaves, and causes the formation of brown spots and whitish patches on the leaves. It can also spread to the entire leaf. Moist, cool weather conditions in the spring contribute to the spread and outbreak of anthracnose.

Damage caused

Anthracnose can stress trees, but is often not the sole cause of tree death.

Tree species affected

• Sycamore
• Ash
• Oak
• Ironwood
• Basswood

What you can do

Proper fall maintenance can reduce the outbreak of anthracnose in future years. Rake and remove fallen leaves from beneath infected trees to reduce the risk of infection of new leaves emerging in the spring. If concerned regarding the safety of an infected town tree, please call ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601.

What we’re doing

If a suspected case of anthracnose is called in on town property, a tree inspection is scheduled to evaluate the health of the tree. Given that anthracnose is typically not a primary cause of tree death, there are currently no programs in place to treat it. 

What is it?

An infection begins when a fungus, living in the ground, sends out filaments that invade roots. It then moves to the root collar, and spreads to the tree trunk. Infected trees tend to show a felt-like whitish layer of fungal threads between the inner bark and outer sapwood.

Clusters of overlapping honey-coloured mushrooms at the bases of trees are a sign of this root rot.

Damage caused

The upper foliage of trees affected by Armillaria root rot become sparse, and leaves are undersized. Twigs may die. The spread of infection induces sapwood (the soft outer layers of recently formed wood) to decay, eventually killing the tree.

Tree species affected

• Oak
• Other deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs

What you can do

Monitor the health of trees on your property and learn how to maintain your trees by visiting our tree maintenance page. If concerned regarding the safety of an infected town tree, please call ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601.

What we’re doing

If a suspected case of Armillaria root rot is called in on town property, a tree inspection is scheduled to evaluate the health of the tree. Depending on results of the inspection, the health, structure and integrity of the tree, action may be required and undertaken.

What is it?

Beech bark disease is caused by a combination of a non-native scale insect and a nectria fungus that targets mature beech trees. The insect feeds on the trees through bark cracks and crevices, causing spores of the Nectria fungus to enter the bark and produce cankers and/or red blisters that cover much of the trunk.

Damage caused

Beech bark disease results in severe leaf die-back and cankering, and in many cases causes the tree to die.

Tree species affected

• American Beech
• European Beech

What you can do

Monitor the health of any mature beech trees on your property. Do not move firewood since beech scale insects and fungus can spread from infested areas to non-infested areas. If concerned regarding the safety of an infected town tree, please call ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601.

What we’re doing

If a suspected case of beech bark disease is called in on town property, a tree inspection is scheduled to evaluate the health of the tree. Depending on results of the inspection, the health, structure and integrity of the tree, action may be required and undertaken.

What is it?

The butternut canker initially affects trees through buds, leaf scars, or wound openings in the bark. Spores produced on the branches spread down the tree by rain, which results in many trunk cankers, which eventually girdle the infected tree. In the spring, inky-black secretions exude from the cracks in the canker, and in the summer, the cankers have a sooty, black, patchy appearance with a white margin.

Damage caused

Cankers spread around the branches and trunk of the tree, eventually girdling and killing the tree.

Tree species affected

• Butternut

What you can do

Monitor the health of any butternut trees on your property, and ensure they have favourable growing conditions. There is no control method once butternut trees are infected. If concerned regarding the safety of an infected town tree, please call ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601.

What we’re doing

If a suspected case of butternut canker is called in on town property, a tree inspection is scheduled to evaluate the health of the tree. Depending on results of the inspection, the health, structure and integrity of the tree, action may be required and undertaken.

What is it?

Dutch elm disease is a fungus that was heavily present in Ontario in the 1960’s and 70’s. It caused the widespread mortality of elm trees. The European elm bark beetle and the native elm bark beetle spread the fungus. The beetles dig galleries underneath the bark of infected trees. In spring, the bark beetles emerge, covered in fungal spores. They then attach to and feed on healthy trees.

Dutch elm disease persists on native elms within woodland areas.

Damage caused

The fungus develops in the live tissue under the bark and leads to browning and wilting of the foliage. Once infected, the tree will inevitably die in one to three years.

Tree species affected

• White Elm
• American Elm
• Rock Elm
• Slippery Elm

What you can do

If you notice an elm, declining rapidly, it may be due to Dutch Elm Disease. If you are concerned that the tree may be hazardous, please call ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 with the location and size of the tree.

What we’re doing

Currently, the town is planting Elm species that are resistant to the disease.

If a suspected case of Dutch Elm Disease is called in on town property, a tree inspection is scheduled to evaluate the health of the tree. If the tree is located near active trails or private property, the tree will be removed.

What is it?

Maple bladdergall mite feeds on leaves, causing abnormal growth in the leaf that encloses the mite. This swelling forms the green and pinkish galls which take on a wart-like appearance on the upper surface of the leaves, usually affecting silver and red maples. Maple spindlegall mite causes spindle-like growths on the upper surface of leaves, usually affecting sugar maples.

Damage caused

Although gall formation can be especially prevalent some years, maple galls are only a cosmetic issue and do not affect tree health.

Tree species affected

• Silver Maple
• Red Maple
• Sugar Maple

What you can do

Given that the formation of galls do not typically affect tree health, control methods are not required. If concerned regarding the safety of an infected town tree, please call ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601.

What we’re doing

Given that maple galls only results in a cosmetic change, and do not usually affect tree health, there is no current program in place to treat maple galls.

What is it?

Oak wilt is a fungus that primarily affects Oaks. Similar to Dutch elm disease, the fungus blocks the movement of water and nutrients through affected trees. It has a particularly high mortality rate affecting the oak family.

Two primary vectors, root contact and beetle movement spread the oak wilt fungus.

Movement of infected wood causes the infection to spread and is discouraged.

Damage caused

Once infected, leaves become discoloured and begin to wilt. The fungus can be located beneath the bark of infected trees and appears as gray or tan mats. Trees will die shortly after infection.

Tree species affected

• Oaks

What you can do

To protect private oak trees from oak wilt, do not prune them during spring and early summer when the beetles responsible for the spread of the fungus are active and the risk of infection is high. If necessary, it is best to prune oaks during the winter months. Consult a forestry professional to ensure appropriate measures are taken to dress the pruning wound as needed.

Do not move firewood as oak wilt is spread by the movement of infected wood.

If you suspect a case of oak wilt present within Oakville, please notify the town immediately by calling 905-845-6601.

What we’re doing

Oak wilt has not been identified in Oakville at this time. The town is monitoring its movement from the United States, while preparing operating procedures that can reduce its spread.

The town has taken steps to avoid pruning of oaks during the spring and summer months (April 15 to June 30) to reduce the risk of the spread of oak wilt.

What is it?

Tar spot is caused by fungi. Fungal spots resembling tar appear on the leaves. These spots do not affect tree health, rather, this is only a cosmetic problem. The fungal spores within the tar spots can survive winter, and fallen leaves from the previous season can release spores in the spring, which infect emerging leaves the following spring.

Damage caused

Tar spots are only a cosmetic issue, and do not affect tree health.

Tree species affected

• Maples

What you can do

Rake up fallen leaves to reduce the number of fungal spores, which survive through winter to the next spring.

What we’re doing

Given that tar spot only results in a cosmetic change, and does not usually affect tree health, there is currently no program in place to treat tar spot.