What's eating my saskatoon 'thiessen'?

Saskatoon 'Thiessen' is a heavy-cropping variety equally attractive to birds, which are the dominant threat — large clusters make easy pickings. Pear slug sawfly and Saskatoon bud moth are common foliage and bud pests. Deer browse canes in winter. Netting from ripening through harvest is the most reliable protection.

Large, accessible clusters stripped by starlings, waxwings, and thrushes at ripening. Erect fine-mesh netting over plants from colour change to harvest; harvest daily to limit losses.

Slimy olive-green larvae remove leaf surface tissue, leaving papery, brown patches. Knock larvae off with a water jet; dust with kaolin clay; apply neem oil if damage is widespread.

Webbed buds fail to open or produce stunted growth; reduced fruit set. Remove webbed terminals by hand; apply spinosad at early bud-break if infestation is confirmed.

Canes and foliage browsed back in winter and early spring, reducing fruiting wood. Install perimeter deer fencing or wrap individual shrubs in wire cages during the dormant season.