Pest identification
What's eating my maidenhair tree?
Scale insects (various soft and armoured scales)
Signs: Waxy bumps on young stems and leaf undersides; honeydew deposits and sooty mould; localised yellowing and dieback on weakened or pot-grown specimens
Control: Horticultural oil (winter wash) on dormant trees; scrub off scales with a soft brush in spring; systemic insecticide drench (imidacloprid) for persistent infestations on bonsai
Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae)
Signs: Pale, stippled fan-shaped leaves; fine webbing under leaves in hot weather; premature yellowing; more of a problem on bonsai under glass or in dry conditions
Control: Increase humidity and mist regularly; knock mites off with water jets; predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) on bonsai; miticide (bifenazate) for heavy summer infestations
Caterpillars (various, including autumn moth)
Signs: Irregular holes or notches eaten from the fan-shaped leaves; rarely severe enough to significantly weaken an established tree; bonsai foliage is more at risk
Control: Hand-pick caterpillars from bonsai; spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) if outbreaks are large; damage is mostly cosmetic on established Ginkgo
Keep maidenhair tree pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Maidenhair Tree pests — FAQ
What is eating my maidenhair tree?
Ginkgo biloba is notably pest-resistant — its ancient lineage means few modern insects have evolved to exploit it heavily. The main threats are occasional scale insects on young trees, spider mites in hot dry summers, and caterpillars that may browse the distinctive fan-shaped leaves. Deer and rabbits may browse young saplings in autumn when fruit drops.
How do I get rid of scale insects (various soft and armoured scales) on maidenhair tree?
Waxy bumps on young stems and leaf undersides; honeydew deposits and sooty mould; localised yellowing and dieback on weakened or pot-grown specimens Horticultural oil (winter wash) on dormant trees; scrub off scales with a soft brush in spring; systemic insecticide drench (imidacloprid) for persistent infestations on bonsai
How do I get rid of spider mites (tetranychus urticae) on maidenhair tree?
Pale, stippled fan-shaped leaves; fine webbing under leaves in hot weather; premature yellowing; more of a problem on bonsai under glass or in dry conditions Increase humidity and mist regularly; knock mites off with water jets; predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis) on bonsai; miticide (bifenazate) for heavy summer infestations
How do I get rid of caterpillars (various, including autumn moth) on maidenhair tree?
Irregular holes or notches eaten from the fan-shaped leaves; rarely severe enough to significantly weaken an established tree; bonsai foliage is more at risk Hand-pick caterpillars from bonsai; spray with Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) if outbreaks are large; damage is mostly cosmetic on established Ginkgo