Ladybug Arborists

Ladybug Arborists Maureen Sexsmith-West,
ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A
ISA Tree Risk Assessor Qualified

Maureen Sexsmith-West, ISA Certified Arborist, PR4600A
ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor, Qualified Tree Appraiser

Our Mission: Our guiding principles are to expand and refine our expertise of arboricultural practices, and to share this information with our clients and community. Ultimately, we enhance the health and safety of our community’s trees for future generations. We are pleased to offer o

ur clients formal training in arboriculture, experience in plant health and growth in the Airdrie region. See service descriptions

Pruning of Small to Medium Sized Trees and Shrubs, Fruit Tree Specialization
Insect and Disease Diagnosis and Remedies
Tree Condition and Hazard Risk Assessment
Tree Appraisals - Insurance Valuations
Protection Planning for Trees Near Construction Zones
Landscape Plan Design and Reviews, Warranty Inspections
Tree Selection Recommendation
Personalized Consumer Training
Public Speaking and Workshops

BRONZE BIRCH BORER - A TREE KILLERI am certain everyone can ID the White Birch tree (Betula papyrifera). The trees are e...
06/02/2026

BRONZE BIRCH BORER - A TREE KILLER

I am certain everyone can ID the White Birch tree (Betula papyrifera). The trees are elegant and make a real statement in any landscape. It is also popular for decorating, crafts and firewood. This popularity results in a lot of road trips in vehicles to destinations unknown. The issue with moving wood is the logs often come from sick or dead trees. Enter the deadly - Bronze Birch Borer. Larvae can survive under the bark even if the log is cut from the tree and emerge as adults elsewhere.

I noticed a real increase in tree mortality in southern Alberta around 2000. Bronze birch borer is native to North America and a specialist feeder on all native and introduced birch (Betula) species in Canada. As with most insects, BBB targets weakened and drought stressed trees. Underwatering and out of season/incorrect pruning release pheromones which lure the insect to the tree.

BBB has a one-year life cycle. The flat larvae overwinter beneath the bark, pupate in the spring, and emerge as adult, metallic bronze beetles between mid-June and August to lay new eggs. Adults emerge by chewing the distinct "D" exit hole. They feed on leaves, then mate and lay eggs on the same tree or a nearby tree. Eggs are laid singly or in clusters in bark crevices, often where smaller branches meet the main stem. Newly hatched larvae bore through the bark and spend the winter under the bark.

What to look for:
* Canopy Dieback: The topmost branches of the tree begin to die, often starting on the sun-exposed south or west sides. Larvae excavate irregular wandering feeding galleries under the bark within the phloem and xylem of branches and the main stem of the tree, disrupting the translocation of water and nutrients. They girdle the twig so sap no longer reaches the tips. Each generation moves further down the live branch towards the trunk. females can move to a nearby host as food becomes more scarce.

* Bark Damage: Look for criss-crossing, zig-zag welts under the bark and distinct D-shaped holes where mature adults have chewed their way out.

* Staining & Sapsuckers: Rust-colored sap may bleed from the bark, and bird damage (such as from woodpeckers) often appears where they are feeding on larvae.

When considering planting a birch tree, select well-drained, sandy, or loamy soil. Birches struggle in clay soils. Keep the tree healthy by proper fertilizing, watering, mulching, and managing other insects and diseases. Fertilizing can increase a birch’s tolerance to borer attack and help it overcome previous borer damage.

Management Options:

Pruning should be limited to July-August annually when the tree is semi dormant and sap is not flowing. Prune off dead branches and limbs with feeding galleries to 'clean wood' and removing heavily infested trees reduces local populations of bronze birch borer.

Systemic Insecticides Spring Soil Drenches & Injections: Applied in early spring, systemic products are absorbed by the roots and move up to the canopy to kill larvae. This needs to done by a licensed pesticide applicator (preferably one that is also an arborist) using professional-grade insecticides directly into the tree's vascular system, which provides long-lasting control.

Buy it where you burn it! Don't tranport firewood.

EVER NOTICE LUMPS, BUMPS, WEIRD SHAPES ON YOUR LEAVES, TWIGS OR TRUNK? Most are referred to as GALLS.Galls are abnorma...
06/02/2026

EVER NOTICE LUMPS, BUMPS, WEIRD SHAPES ON YOUR LEAVES, TWIGS OR TRUNK? Most are referred to as GALLS.

Galls are abnormal plant growths caused by insects, mites, nematodes, fungi, bacteria and viruses. They can be caused by feeding or egg-laying of insects and mites. Insect galls rarely affect plant health and their numbers go up and down from season to season. Control is generally not necessary unless threshold levels occur. Galls are not part of the active tissues of the vascular system so chemicals rarely work. The insect/mite can only be controlled when they are OUTSIDE the gall either before or when the emerge to reproduce.

Galls usually form during the accelerated growth period of new leaves, shoots and flowers in late spring. How do they form?

Insects/mites bite or feed on new succulent tissue triggering a chemical reaction to mass produce excess tissue. The insect lives/feeds inside the gall for most of their life. Mature plant tissues are usually not affected by gall-inducing organisms. The insect is protected inside the gall for predataors and continues to grow until it is ready to chew it's way out to reproduce. The biggest complaint is the unsightly appearance they create.

LEAF GALLS (look like warts or pimples) on the upper side of the leaf. They can be on the petiole or leaf tissues.
STEM/TWIG GALLS produce deformed growth on stems and twigs from slight swelling to large knot-like growth.
BUD OR FLOWER GALLS produce deformed shapes of buds and flowers. Cauliflower like growths. Stunts growth. Remain on the twig for several seasons as a hard nut-like growth.

Galls can steal vital nutrients from the plant and affect plant growth. If sufficient numbers can impact younger plants. Chemical applications often are not effective because the precise timing of sprays is critical. If your tree is at a threshold contact your local landscape pesticide applicator.

To be effective, apply pesticide BEFORE gall formation begins, but when insects and mites are active (OUTSIDE THE GALL). Once galls start to form, it is too late for treatment For insects or mites that spend the winter on the host plant, apply horticultural oil before insect activity begins in the spring. In cases like Cooely Gall, or Oak Bug gall - it is possible to pick off galls when the tree is small and the galls are green to help reduce reproductive adults. Be sure to put into the garbage and not your compost. By the end of the season they will have moved on the adult hood.

WHICH INSECTS TO WATCH FOR? Here are a few in our area.

GALL WASPS - on Oak Trees and Roses: From balls on underside of leaves and on twigs.

EUROPHID MITES - Green Ash, Mountain Ash, Maple, Linden, Viburnum
Affects flower or bud stage before they actually open. Deformed flowers may stay persistent for several seasons. Can cause witches broom.

BUD GALLS - Poplar

PSYLLIDS (Tree Lice) - Black Ash , Hackberry

ADELGID - Spruce . The most common Cooley spruce gall. causing swelling of new growth that stars purple, bright green and then turn brown to mimic a cone. Douglas fir is a co-Host. Wooly Elm Adelgid causes cauliflower like leaves to hide the insects.

MIDGE - 'cone' like fomrations on Willow

Weather has work on hold for a couple of days. Good time to share a nugget of wisdom to keep trees safe. Trees swaying ...
05/31/2026

Weather has work on hold for a couple of days. Good time to share a nugget of wisdom to keep trees safe.

Trees swaying in the windy rain are a beautiful but hazardous combination. The added weight of heavy water combined with strong wind gusts can cause rapid branch failure and severe stress on root systems.

Large tree canopies catch the wind like a sail. But unlike a sailboat that moves with wind pressure, a tree is anchored and cannot move. It can only bend, and if the forces are great enough, the tree will break or just tip over. A lot of times, wind storms bring rain, and then the soil becomes saturated, and water in the soil acts like a lubricant.

Blow over is most common where root damage was caused by construction activities close to the trunk. If roots were cut for irrigation, adding a sidewalk or other trenching, excavation for paving, or landscape paving stones, the trees lose holding strength, particularly with wet soil.

Trees are designed to sway - more like oscillate (a repetitive irregular back-and-forth motion, swinging, swaying, or fluctuating). Windsail occurs when the wind cannot pass freely through the canopy of the tree. Wind pushes on the tree parts based on air speed, gusts, and density of the foliage. The more leaves and the longer the branch, the more force is applied. Appropriate branch thinning can help diffuse rather than block air.

Defects called inclusions occur when branches have not developed properly and don't connect fully to the trunk or another part of a branch. Regular inspection starting as early as possible can help identify and eliminate these branches prone to failure. It is a good idea to check the staking of trees planted within the past two years. Roots may not have expanded enough to hold trees in place on their own yet.

Trees will help drink up the goodness of needed rain. Roots hold against erosion. If you want to learn more or have a visit from our certified arborist, fill out our website request form.

Stay safe!

complete prune of this schubert today. ahhhhh. the home owner can mow that lawn without ducking. still finding more tent...
05/30/2026

complete prune of this schubert today. ahhhhh. the home owner can mow that lawn without ducking. still finding more tent caterpillars today.

Ladybugs lea, jessica and maureen and boybug kyle pause for a photo op.
05/27/2026

Ladybugs lea, jessica and maureen and boybug kyle pause for a photo op.

First batch of tent caterpillars on a schubert chokecherry today. Was able to hop into the clients tree, rub them off t...
05/26/2026

First batch of tent caterpillars on a schubert chokecherry today. Was able to hop into the clients tree, rub them off the trunk and squish them. They are pretty easy to see since the leaves are just starting to fill in. They congregate in clumps on the branches and trunk.

You can use a broom or a glove to destroy the group to avoid further feeding damage or the need for pesticides.

Looking for a realtor I can refer. They need to have a real good understanding of natural spaces. I headed off to work...
05/25/2026

Looking for a realtor I can refer. They need to have a real good understanding of natural spaces.

I headed off to work for a client this morning to spread a yard of new topsoil on a garden area I was helping her with. I spent the next hour under the careful scrunity of a chirping sparrow that switched between her roof and the larch tree in her garden. I started to get suspicious as to the 'alert' chirp I kept hearing. I went to grab a rake from a hanger inside the truck when I noted that in the upper right hand side of my chipper truck there was a wad of grass and twigs.

It appears our misguided pair decided to build a nest inside my truck. I had to have happened over the past couple of days when it was parked. Poor thing - I don't know if it hitchhiked or followed me. I headed next to a pruning job and then parked it for the afternoon. will see if it shows up monday.

wondering how to affordably create a parking space for your RV, trailer or extra vehicle? no bobcat needed. look into...
05/23/2026

wondering how to affordably create a parking space for your RV, trailer or extra vehicle? no bobcat needed. look into creating strips for driving on that you can mow. economical and easy to install.

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Airdrie, AB

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 12pm

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+14036343062

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