The tree stand near the Fire Station was affected, as were the large spruces near MZGK, where Christmas lights were hung, the entire row of trees along the former dairy on Podgórna Street, and many others.
A biologist from the Voivodeship Inspectorate for Plant Health and Seed Inspection explains the causes of the green spruce aphid invasion.
“Every so often, insects undergo an outbreak, meaning that their numbers increase dramatically,” says Małgorzata Różnicka. “That is exactly what happened with the green spruce aphid this year. In spring, many more larvae hatched than usual. The larvae suck sap from the needles. The spruce loses its foliage and cannot obtain nourishment, which is why it dries out. The aphids favoured noble varieties, namely silver and blue spruce. It could not have been predicted that the aphid would attack so severely this year. Those who did not spray the trees preventively may lose them, but they may not,” Różnicka adds.
The trees do not need to be cut down at this point. According to the specialist, many of them are strong enough to survive the intensified attack by the larvae and regenerate over the following years.
“A similar situation occurred several years ago with horse chestnut trees across Europe, which were attacked by horse-chestnut leaf miner larvae,” the biologist explains. “The horse chestnut trees survived. The same may happen with the spruces.”
The specialist recommends that owners of noble conifers spray the trees preventively next spring with appropriate products.