Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-11-24
500 CITY TREES
RUINED BY BUGS
Indianapolis Pays Heavy Toll
in Year to Insects.

approximately 1850 shade trees in In
annapolis were killed by scale insects
lring the last year, according to a
atement issued by G. E. Morgan, head
IS the special service OF the city park
apartment today. Unless steps are
sken to check the ravages of tree para
ssites the city will eventually lose most
Fof its trees, he said. for far less than
the number killed we're planted.
OF the trees killed 20 per cent were
destroyed by the San Jose and Oyster
Shell scales Action Of the San Jose va
riety and methods for It's eradication
were explained In Mr.. 1Iorgan's state
men, which is as follows:
Indianapolis is losing yearly several
thousand shade trees; this loss is due
largely to the neglect Of the property
owners in that the general condition OF
the trees is not noticed until it is either
Zo2 late or that the specimen has reached
Hth a stage OF deterioration that 10
ling them back 10 normal health and
towth means a systematic and consist
#t procedure OF control measures such
~ the average property owner IS loath
follow.
sIf the city is to retain its present crop
II trees and protect and maintain young
lees set in the fall and spring, the
tizens at large viii have 70 realize the
ling and Of less importance TO care for
after setting is another. It is a we'll
own fact that most diseases gain en-
nee by the tree being weakened gen
lly. usually as the result OF the at
#Wk Of some insect pest.
h 80ne OF the most serious insect pests
sN y one that IS causing the death OF a
snber OF our trees is the san Jose scale.
NJ trunk, limbs and branches o. a tree
" ~ infested with this pest have
+ 20 rf@ff n
ually. the full grown female scales
fiat, circular, about One-twelfth tnc1
diameter and with a slightly raised
atrial area or nipple. which Is dark OF
llow- The male scale is smaller than
be OF the female. is about twice as
DAD and is black in color.
The young Insects are minute, bright
Pillow, lOuse-Hke creatures, which for the
S Iost part are born alive. though occa-
4onaIly the mother expeIs them with a
In sack-like membrane which is soon
F~ken open. allowing the insects 10
merge This Insect winters IN 4 partly
froWn condition beneath the shelter OK
Pc round scale cover which az that time
~ coal black. Growth continues, and the
ales mature, seek the females, mate and
Irish.
By late June the crawling young in
&Fects begin to appear. They settle down
Rsert their hairlike. needle-sharp beaks
TO the host and begin to Imbibe the
n IL
~ first pure white, later turning black.
There are several bToOds per season.
The hundred Of thousands Of these sap
sucking scale insects Of a badly infested
plant rob IL Of its juices and literally
dry It up ultimately resulting in death.
With most infested plants 1t will be
noted upon cutting into the bark that
Immediately under the scales the lighter
colored parts of the host show a red
discol0rauiOn.
To control this pest, an application Of
Hme-sulphUr diluted one 10 six with
water or miscibe oil diluted one TO ten
with water should be given while the
trees ere dormant and as long as the
weather remains above freezing. Thor
oughness Of application Is the prime es-
sential, as only those that are hit are
the ones controlled.
This scale attacks all trees with equal
fondneEs. The best way to keep IL in
check is to get it on its first appearance
and before serious infestatiOn occurs. \
tree badly struck viii show a general
declining condition, the leaves whitening
&Qd the specimen ultimately dying com
Emetely.
Whose citizens desiring instructions and
al vice are urged to consult the Special
ra3rvice, Department Of Public Parks, who
~ II make inspection for this or any other
k1st free Of charge, also suggestions for
tne Identification viii be given on re-
y W4St