What's eating my japanese flowering cherry bonsai?

Japanese Flowering Cherry bonsai are attractive to aphids, tent caterpillars, and scale insects. Aphids colonize new spring shoots while caterpillars can rapidly defoliate whole branches. Gall mites and spider mites are secondary threats. Cherries are more pest-prone than conifers, so inspect weekly during the growing season.

Dense colonies on new shoots and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew promotes sooty mold; curled, yellowed, or stunted leaves Blast off with water; insecticidal soap or neem oil for persistent infestations; check shoot tips weekly from bud-break

Silken communal webs in branch forks; larvae emerge to feed on leaves and can defoliate whole branches rapidly Remove web tents by hand in the morning; apply Bt spray while caterpillars are small; prune out affected branches if heavily infested

Waxy brown or white shells on bark; sap loss weakens branches, producing sticky honeydew and sooty mold Scrape off with a soft brush; treat with horticultural oil; apply dormant oil in late winter before buds break for best results

Leaf blistering or fine webbing with stippled, bronzed foliage — most common during hot, dry spells Mist foliage to raise humidity; apply neem oil or miticide; remove and dispose of heavily affected leaves