What is cutting my tree limbs?

One of the common questions many homeowners have had lately involves the accumulation of precision severed branches and twigs lying around the yard. The twigs first start falling late in the summer, but are usually noticed more in the early fall. Many folks attribute this phenomenon to squirrels, strong winds or storms, but it is most likely caused by a member of the longhorned beetle family known as the twig girdler.

This pest is appropriately named the twig girdler because of the females’ ability to neatly trim or girdle branches about the size of a pencil with her strong jaws. The female beetle chews or girdles the outside of the twig until it is almost separated from the tree. She then gnaws small notches in the dying part of the twig to lay her eggs. Eventually, the twig falls to the ground, which is usually the first time you notice you have the beetle. It is also important to note that the female girdles the twig to ensure that eggs and larvae survive as they can’t fully develop in green twigs and high moisture.

The adult twig girdler is about five-eighths of an inch long and is gray and brown in color with very long antennae. The body is covered with short hairs. A twig girdler requires a full year and four stages to complete a life cycle. Egg, larvae, pupae and adult cycles remain in the old girdled twigs until early September when the adult chews out of the old twigs and moves to a live host tree thus beginning a new life cycle. Twig girdlers usually attack pecan, hickory, oak and other ornamental trees, but can also attack smaller woody ornamentals. Damage is usually minimal, and is more of a nuisance than anything else. On rare occasions, young trees may be severely damaged if the infestations are extremely high.

How do you control these insects? Chemical control is neither effective nor seldom recommended. The most effective control is to gather the girdled limbs that have fallen to the ground and dispose of them in the fall and winter months. Disposing of these limbs eliminates the source of infestation and the larvae inside, which would otherwise hatch and develop into adult girdlers the next fall.

If you are interested in obtaining more information about twig girdlers, as well as other subjects dealing with horticulture issues in general, perhaps you might be an excellent candidate to become a Master Gardener.

Fork Baptist Church, 1101 S. Moore Road. Anyone who has always wanted to start a strength training program but just did not know how to start is welcome. The cost is $20 per year. Call 767-4607 for information.

Aquatic programs are offered at Quapaw Community Center, 500 Quapaw Ave., including swim lessons for all ages year-round. Water Our training will take place in January and February. We are currently taking applications. You may obtain one by visiting our office at 236 Woodbine, fill it out, and bring or send it to our office before the end of November. You can also call the Extension Service office at 623-6841, and request that an application be sent to you.

The Master Gardener program and training is conducted by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension through the Garland County Extension office. The training provides gardeners with the opportunity to improve their horticultural knowledge and skills, and then share their experience with the public through organized volunteer activities.

Arkansas adopted the Master Gardener program in 1988 in four counties (Garland, Jefferson, Pulaski, and Saline), and it has since expanded programs into 67 counties. There are currently over 3,000 Master Gardeners throughout the state. Our Master Gardeners sponsor events that support youth gardening, plant therapy work with hospitals and nursing homes, city beautification, and horticulture information. The contribution this volunteer group makes to the beauty of Arkansas, Garland County, and Hot Springs is a true treasure indeed.

Master Gardener information

Master Gardener meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at the Elks Lodge. The meetings are open to the public and guests are welcome. For more information, call the Extension Service office at 623-6841 or email Alex Dykes at adykes@uaex.edu.

EHC information

Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information on EHC, call 6236841 or email Alison Crane at acrane@uaex.edu. Follow Alison on Facebook @garlandEGF and @Garland FCS, and EHC on Facebook @GarlandCountyEHC.

4-H information

For information about Garland County 4-H Club membership or program benefits, contact Linda Bates at the Extension Service office, call 501-623-6841, or email lbates@uaex.edu. Additional information is available at http://www.uaex.edu/garland.

Aerobics from 9-10 a.m. Monday-Friday, and Friday at 10 a.m.; Water Workout, 10-11 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays; Aqua Arthritis, 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 6239922 for information.

Extension Get Fit meets from

9-10 a.m. Monday-Thursday at Hot Springs Baptist Church. Strength and core training is offered Tuesday

and Thursday, and circuit and aerobic training Monday and Wednesday. Prevent bone loss, increase balance and strength. The cost is

$20 per year. Call Julia Lamb, 501276-2983, for information. Extension Get Fit will be held from 830-9:30 a.m. Monday and Wednesday at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs Senior Center, 301 Broadway; enter through the back door.