Pest identification
What's eating my ginkgo 'saratoga'?
Aphids
Signs: Soft, curled new growth in spring; honeydew drip and subsequent sooty mold
Control: Hose off with water; use insecticidal soap spray if colonies build; natural predators usually bring numbers down quickly
Japanese beetles
Signs: Lacy, skeletonized leaves from late June to August; severe feeding makes foliage look scorched
Control: Hand-pick or knock beetles into soapy water in morning; apply neem oil or spinosad spray; avoid using pheromone traps nearby
Deer
Signs: Browsing of lower branches and shoots on young trees, particularly in autumn and winter
Control: Use tree guards or wire cages for the first three to five years; once the trunk is established, deer impact is minimal
Keep ginkgo 'saratoga' pest-free
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Ginkgo 'Saratoga' pests — FAQ
What is eating my ginkgo 'saratoga'?
Ginkgo 'Saratoga' is a male, upright selection with the species' well-known pest tolerance. Aphids appear on spring shoots and Japanese beetles attack summer foliage by skeletonizing leaves, but infestations rarely threaten the tree's health. Young specimens benefit from deer protection in suburban and rural gardens.
How do I get rid of aphids on ginkgo 'saratoga'?
Soft, curled new growth in spring; honeydew drip and subsequent sooty mold Hose off with water; use insecticidal soap spray if colonies build; natural predators usually bring numbers down quickly
How do I get rid of japanese beetles on ginkgo 'saratoga'?
Lacy, skeletonized leaves from late June to August; severe feeding makes foliage look scorched Hand-pick or knock beetles into soapy water in morning; apply neem oil or spinosad spray; avoid using pheromone traps nearby
How do I get rid of deer on ginkgo 'saratoga'?
Browsing of lower branches and shoots on young trees, particularly in autumn and winter Use tree guards or wire cages for the first three to five years; once the trunk is established, deer impact is minimal