Kitchen Garden Forum

Not the clearest of pictures, but my little apple tree (not sure what kind) is covered in this web stuff. Looks slightly silvery and mouldy especially round the newly growing fruit. Can anyone tell me what it is and more importantly how best to deal with it? Thanks

I've always thought it is just spiders and not a problem but it could be something more sinister.

Hello a56
This looks like an infestation of wooly aphid.
This is not easy to deal with as the cunning little critters cover themselves with a white 'wool' and most treatments just run off.
If your tree is small you could try rubbing them off, wiping with cotton wool soaked in meths or flush them off with a pressure spray. This will help to control the problem but won't get rid of them entirely.
Larger trees seem to be able to cope with the problem.
Seems to be a bad year for aphids.
Hope this helps.

John

Yes, definitely woolly aphid, I have successfully treated a tree in the past with meths, but I used a tooth brush. You do have to be vigilant and keep at it as John says, it tends to reappear particularly where you have made any cuts so I would say don't prune unless you really have to. It will come back for several years now. Really badly infested trees should be cut down and burnt.

Beryl.

Thanks folks - I'll try the meths.