Pest identification
What's eating my paulownia tomentosa?
Eastern tent caterpillar / lackey moth caterpillars
Signs: Silken tents in branch forks in spring; caterpillars strip leaves from whole branches, causing unsightly defoliation.
Control: Remove tents by hand when small; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to young caterpillars before tents enlarge.
Spider mites
Signs: Fine stippling and bronzing of large leaves in hot dry weather; fine webbing visible on leaf undersides.
Control: Strong water jets to undersides of leaves; neem oil or miticide spray; maintain adequate soil moisture to reduce drought stress.
Rabbits / deer
Signs: Young coppiced regrowth shoots browsed to stubs; bark gnawed at ground level by rabbits in winter.
Control: Tree shelters or wire mesh guards around young stems; repellent sprays on new growth in spring.
Keep paulownia tomentosa pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
Paulownia tomentosa pests — FAQ
What is eating my paulownia tomentosa?
Paulownia tomentosa (empress tree) is generally vigorous and pest-resistant, but spider mites can stress foliage in dry summers, and caterpillars such as tent caterpillars may defoliate branches. Rabbits and deer browse young growth. The tree's rapid regrowth means damage is seldom fatal, but tent caterpillar removal keeps trees looking good.
How do I get rid of eastern tent caterpillar / lackey moth caterpillars on paulownia tomentosa?
Silken tents in branch forks in spring; caterpillars strip leaves from whole branches, causing unsightly defoliation. Remove tents by hand when small; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray to young caterpillars before tents enlarge.
How do I get rid of spider mites on paulownia tomentosa?
Fine stippling and bronzing of large leaves in hot dry weather; fine webbing visible on leaf undersides. Strong water jets to undersides of leaves; neem oil or miticide spray; maintain adequate soil moisture to reduce drought stress.
How do I get rid of rabbits / deer on paulownia tomentosa?
Young coppiced regrowth shoots browsed to stubs; bark gnawed at ground level by rabbits in winter. Tree shelters or wire mesh guards around young stems; repellent sprays on new growth in spring.