Historic Washington Heights Community

CANKERWORMS! 2006

Oct 25, 2006

In the spring the Fall Cankerwormk caterpillar eats the leaves off the large, old oaks in Charlotte. This past spring, we experienced a dramatic increase in Cankerworms in our neighborhoods. Their feeding on the leaves can kill large, old trees by draining their energy supplies.

In November, the female moth will crawl up tr ees such as willow oaks to lay their eggs on twigs and small branches. In an effort to save our willow oaks, the City is banding 4,000 of the largest street trees that are threatened. Citizens are asked to cooperate in banding large, old willow oaks on private property. Every female Cankerworm that we catch prevents 100 caterpillars from eating the leaves next spring. Working to protect the willow oak tree from the cankerworm will save private property owners thousands of dollars, plus the loss to the value of the property if the tr ee should die. Let's Band Together".

Neighborhood Match Grants for tree banding projects: Workshops: Thurs. Oct. 18, 2006; Old City Hall, 600 E.Trade Stret; 6:15-800 p.m. and Sat., Oct.21, 2006, Old City Hall, 600 E. Trade St.; 9:15 a.m.-11:00a.m.