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How to Fertilize Trees and Shrubs

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How to Protect Trees and Shrubs from Pests

The best way to avoid pest damage is to prevent it in the first place. You can do so by choosing trees and shrubs that are not prone to pest or disease problems in your area. (Local nurseries and cooperative extension agents are reliable sources of information.) In addition, providing a healthy environment via the following will help prevent pest damage:

Good soil
Regular watering
Proper fertilizing

Unfortunately, even if you follow all these practices, a tree or shrub can still become infested. Once this occurs, it can be very difficult to rid a plant of insect plague. Follow these steps for pest control:

The best approach is to take a sample of the insect (or a diseased piece of the bark) in a plastic bag to a cooperative extension office. They should be able to identify the pest or disease and recommend a proper treatment for it.
Contact an arborist or landscaping contractor and have him spray the plant.

Do-It-Yourself Pest Control

You can also try spraying your tree or shrub yourself. If you do, be sure to wear gloves, goggles, a respirator, and ensure that all skin is adequately covered.

Put the insecticide solution in a garden sprayer, pump the handle to pressurize it, and spray the tree thoroughly from top to bottom.
To use a garden-hose sprayer, remove the reservoir, fill it with insecticide, attach the hose, turn on the water, and spray.
To adjust the strength of the spray, turn the water supply up or down. Soak the entire tree, especially the branches and trunk.