Will these bugs kill my tree?

Usually no, but they can stress a young tree. Mature trees can handle significant defoliation without lasting harm.

Should I use systemic pesticides?

Avoid them if possible. They can harm beneficial insects like bees that visit your tree.

Eastern Cottonwood: pests, causes and fixes

Check these first

Inspect the undersides of leaves for larvae or beetles.
Look for sticky residue on the foliage.
Check for ants traveling along the bark.

Likely causes

Cottonwood leaf beetle
Most likely
How to tell: You will see small, metallic blue or green beetles and yellowish larvae feeding on the leaves. They leave behind skeletonized foliage where only the veins remain.
What to do: Use a strong spray of water from a garden hose to knock them off the branches. For heavy infestations, apply a neem oil spray or insecticidal soap to the foliage in the early morning or late evening.
Aphids
Possible
How to tell: Leaves may look curled or sticky from honeydew residue. You might also see ants crawling up and down the trunk.
What to do: Spray the affected branches with a steady stream of water to dislodge the aphids. If they persist, use a mild insecticidal soap once a week until the population drops.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your eastern cottonwood

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

Worry if the tree loses more than 30 percent of its leaves in a single season. A few holes are normal and rarely kill a healthy, established tree.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your tree healthy with deep watering during dry spells to help it resist pest damage. Remove fallen leaves in the autumn to reduce overwintering sites for beetles.

Eastern Cottonwood: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your eastern cottonwood and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Will these bugs kill my tree?: Usually no, but they can stress a young tree. Mature trees can handle significant defoliation without lasting harm.
Should I use systemic pesticides?: Avoid them if possible. They can harm beneficial insects like bees that visit your tree.

Guides to these causes

Aphids

Why are there bugs on my Eastern Cottonwood?

Check these first

Not sure what's wrong with your eastern cottonwood?