Are Japanese Beetles Doing Damage to Your Tree Leaves?

As the summer heat hits, we take special care to maintain our trees. This way, they’ll hold on to their full canopy and radiant, seasonal glow all summer.

Unfortunately, there’s one summer pest that gives our trees just as much attention, but doesn’t treat them as kindly. Japanese beetles take over tree canopies on warm, sunny days.

You can control their damage, though, by detecting and acting quickly. Below discover what trees Japanese beetles do and don’t like to eat and how to get rid of this garden pest.

When do Japanese beetles arrive?

This pest emerges and attacks plants from mid-June to August.

What trees do Japanese beetles eat?

This pest does play favorites when it comes to trees. Here are a few tree types Japanese beetles love:

• Crape myrtle
• Birch
• Littleleaf linden
• Crabapple
• Purple leaf plum
• Japanese maple
• Norway maple
• Weeping cherry
• Ornamental cherry

Are there Japanese beetle resistant trees?

Yes! There are a few trees Japanese beetles avoid:

• Evergreens
• Red maple
• White oak
• Red oak

How do Japanese beetles do damage to tree leaves?

These flying pests eat away chunks of tree leaves and flowers. Often, they’ll leave nothing more than the skeleton behind.

When a Japanese beetle infestation is severe, tree leaves may brown at the top of the canopy or leaves may drop prematurely.

How can I get rid of Japanese beetles on trees?

To prevent Japanese beetle tree damage, apply one or two treatments a few weeks apart between June and August.

Learn more about how to control Japanese beetles in your trees and garden here!