What's eating my liquidambar styraciflua?

Sweetgum is relatively trouble-free but falls webworm caterpillars can encase branch tips in unsightly silk tents in late summer. Scale insects and bagworms affect stressed trees. Aphids colonise new growth in spring. Overall, a vigorous, well-sited sweetgum experiences only minor pest pressure and rarely requires chemical intervention.

Large silken tents enclosing branch tips from midsummer; caterpillars consume foliage within the tent; repeated attacks weaken branches but rarely kill trees Prune out and destroy tents while small; Bt spray on young caterpillars where reachable; avoid tearing open tents which disperses caterpillars

Grey armoured scale crusts on bark; bark discolouration and localised dieback on stressed trees; heavy infestations on young branches Horticultural oil spray in late winter or spring to smother crawlers; systemic insecticide for severe cases; keep tree healthy with adequate water

Colonies on new shoot tips in spring; sticky honeydew drips; minor leaf curling and distortion; rarely causes lasting harm Strong water jet or insecticidal soap; natural predator pressure usually resolves colonies within weeks without intervention

Spindle-shaped silk cases hanging from branches; caterpillars feed on foliage; heavy infestations defoliate branches across the crown Hand-pick and destroy bags in winter before eggs hatch; Bt spray on young caterpillars in early summer; spinosad for larger infestations