Severe infestations give the tree a white fluffy appearance. Stunted, deformed or off-color branches and needles may indicate a low level of infestation. These molds grow on the sugary exudate, commonly called honeydew, produced by the scale insects. Ants are also attracted to the exudate. Loblolly pine infested with the woolly pine scale, Pseudophilippia quaintancii.
Most infestations are minor because of unfavorable environmental conditions and natural predators.
If infestations are severe, the use of insecticide is recommended for high value or landscape trees. Proper care and maintenance of the tree to promote vigor and growth will speed recovery of the tree. The eastern tent caterpillar is primarily an aesthetic problem in yards and has little effect on tree health if defoliations are spaced apart by a number of years. However, several consecutive years of heavy defoliation in combination with some other stress may result in tree death. Infestations can be easily identified by the silk tents that are found in branch crotches.