I have cobwebs on major branches of my big oak tree. How do they get there and how do I remove them.?

Question

Will this destroy the tree if left unchecked. It seems to be spreading quickly.

Answer 1

Tent worms favor oak trees...at night when they are less active, remove the web and spray with Dipel, an organic pesticide, nontoxic to humans and wildlife. May need 2nd application for high infestation.
http://www.planetnatural.com/site/dipel-dust.html

Answer 2

Gypsy moths? If so they are done , so nothing to do . Later it could be Tent Caterpillars, or Fall Webworm . If so you need to either inoculate the tree (has to be one by a certified a person) or spray the tree with Bt . That is a strain of Baccillus thuringensis v. Kurtstaki , a bacteria , that kills certain caterpillars .(Bt v. San Diego is for Colorado Potato Beetles) Thuricide is one trade name . Dipel is another. Don't know if that''s practical with your tree. You'll have to decide . Even though it looks bad , the damage caused by them won't hurt the tree, unless it's major , for 3 years(+) in a row .

http://www.ghorganics.com/Dipel_BTK_For_Caterpillars.html

Spiders? Not a problem . Get up early enough to enjoy the view of the mist-encrusted web, backlit by the morning sun . Best part of the day, IMO.( with good coffee in hand, of course. ;D)

Answer 3

Certain types of caterpillars, such as tent caterpillars and gypsy moths, create large webs in trees like you've described. If they're rather large (larger than any spider could do alone) then it's likely a caterpillar colony. They are harmful to trees because they will feed off of the leaves. If possible, you may be able to wash them off with a hose or remove them otherwise. If they're too copious, you may need to call an exterminator, or if you're a do-it-yourself kinda guy, go to Home Depot and get the proper type of insecticide, and get up on a ladder and do the deed yourself (use goggles and a face mask).

Answer 4

From your description, you have tent worms or bag worms. These little critters weave a "tent" around parts of the tree and begin eating it.

Spraying the cobwebs with insecticide will do no good. You will have to cut off the parts of the tree that are covered by these "cobwebs" and THEN you spray the rest of the tree with insecticide.

Answer 5

Are they like Huge spider weeb looking things?...they might be worms...there is a type of worm that makes big spider web cocoon looking things in pecan and oak trees...no clue what to. spray with bug spay!

Answer 6

What's so bad about cobwebs? Spiders are great because they eat annoying insects like mosquitoes

Answer 7

Those are probably bagworms. You need to spray them and them remove them with a pole.