What's eating my liriodendron tulipifera?

Tulip tree is most commonly attacked by tuliptree aphids and tuliptree scale, both of which produce copious honeydew and sooty mold. Yellow-poplar weevil notches leaf margins, and deer browse young trees. Heavy aphid pressure makes leaves drip honeydew; managing aphid colonies is the priority for ornamental trees.

Dense colonies on leaf undersides; leaves turn yellow and drop early; pavement and cars beneath drip with sticky honeydew. Insecticidal soap or neem oil targeting the undersides of leaves; beneficial insects (parasitic wasps, lacewings) provide natural suppression.

Large, rounded, brownish-pink scales on bark and twigs; heavy infestations cause branch dieback and honeydew drip. Horticultural oil in late winter; systemic insecticide soil drench in early summer to target crawler stage.

Adults notch leaf margins; larvae mine petioles, causing leaves to wilt, blacken, and drop prematurely in late spring. Rake and destroy fallen leaves; on small trees, a single pyrethroid spray at bud break targets adults before egg-laying.

Young trees browsed and trunks rubbed, damaging the smooth bark and suppressing establishment. Tree guards on trunks for the first 3–4 years; repellent sprays on foliage of young saplings.