Green fly on Salix tree HELP

covlass

I have just brushed past my salix Flamingo tree and the leaves fell off ! On inspection it is crawling with green fly. I have some spray but should I prune it now also as it is looking horrid or should I just leave it and spray again next week?

Kay_Peel

Yes, it's a good idea to prune it back now - you'll get plenty of new growth over the summer and it will be much healthier.

Greenfly gorge on Salix, unfortunately. One way to prevent them, next year, is to prune Salix quite hard in the middle of March and watch it like a hawk. At the very first sign, grab your spray bottle and give 'em a good blast.

Another idea is to grow a plant beside it - one that will attract ladybirds. For instance:
A bulb of fennel
Poached Egg plant
Parsley
A pot full of nettles

The ladybirds will eat all your aphids for you. Don't spray the Salix at all - give the ladybirds time to sniff them out and feast on them.

Best of luck :beer:

covlass

Thank you so much it is such a nice tree I didn't want to prune it with out asking first.