Ask an Arborist

Do you have a question about tree care or about our urban canopy?

Ask one of our arborists by emailing ask@treeswinnipeg.org!

How it Works:

Your questions will be sent to Trees Winnipeg’s team of certified arborists, all of whom are on our board of directors. Once your question is reviewed, an answer will be sent to you in under two weeks (usually sooner).

The service is not meant to take the place of a professional arborist. Our certified arborist will not be able to answer questions involving liability issues and risk assessment. These questions are best answered by hiring an arborist and scheduling an in-person assessment. For more information on how to find an arborist click here.

For more information on trees, check out our resources and publications.

My tree has been injured or looks like it may be infected, what should I do?

Please send us a clear photo(s) of the tree and damage (or pest). If possible, please include in your message: 1. the type of tree, 2. the cause of the damage.

Why are trees sometimes banded?

Banding can be effective against cankerworms, so long as the band is properly applied and maintained. When bands are installed properly, the sticky trap will catch the wingless female cankerworm before it climbs the tree trunk to mate with its male winged partner.

Note: Tree bands do not control elm span worm, forest tent caterpillar, Dutch elm disease, emerald ash borer, or any other pest other than fall and spring cankerworm.

While cankerworms are not typically a threat to the health of the tree, their damage can be unsightly, and their caterpillars are sometimes considered a nuisance. The loss of foliage also makes them more susceptible to other stressors, such as drought, insect attacks, or disease.

However, tree bands also trap beneficial insects such as lady bugs, which help control aphids and other pest populations. As tree bands are largely composed of fossil fuel-based, non-biodegradable products, the use of bands also adds to the solid waste of our landfill.

Alternative controls include dormant oil in early spring or late fall, or BTK during the leaf out period. Contact a licensed pesticide applicator for more information.

When should trees be banded?

If cankerworm has been a problem in previous years, tree banding can be considered. Bands should be applied in the fall before the first frost and removed in the spring before June. If the band is not removed, the bark can rot when the insulation gets wet.