• Skip to main content
  • 469-387-6000
  • [email protected]
  • Local Arborist
  • Services

    All Services

    Local Arborist

    Consulting

    Tree Trimming

    Tree Removal

    Tree Health Care

    Tree Planting

    Stump Grinding

  • Service Area
    Addison Allen Arlington Carrollton Colleyville Coppell Dallas Denton Euless Farmers Branch Flower Mound Fort Worth Frisco Garland Grand Prairie Grapevine Highland Park Irving Keller Lewisville McKinney Mesquite Murphy North Richland Hills Plano Prosper Richardson Rockwall Southlake Trophy Club University Park Wylie
  • Information
    About How We Work Faqs “Arborist” vs. “Certified Arborist” Emergency Tree Work Gallery
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
    All Blog North Texas Tree Owner’s Guide Tree Recommendations Insects & Diseases Whats Wrong with My Tree Fall Tree Care Winter Tree Care Spring Tree Care Summer Tree Care
  • Pay Invoice
  • Contact Us
  • Tree Health Care
  • Fall Tree Care

Hackberry Leafrollers are Back!

Aug 23, 2023

 In September 2022, we saw an infestation of small, green worms and their webs on hackberries in North Texas. With the reappearance of the hackberry leafroller moth larvae in August 2023, our recommendations for how to deal with them are a little different.

What’s Changed?

While we usually see hackberry leafroller caterpillar activity in the fall, in 2023, we are beginning to see them while we are still in the heat of summer. Additionally, many hackberries in the DFW are are still recovering from leafroller activity last year and have damaged canopies as a result. The intense heat and drought conditions of 2023 have resulted in an urban forest that is already under extreme stress. Hackberry trees that would normally handle leafrollers easily are now less capable of resisting the pests’ damage. Additionally, there are new recommendations for chemical controls.

What Can We Do about Hackberry Leafrollers in 2023?

While there are no insecticidal treatments that are effective against hackberry leafrollers once the webs appear, it is important to take steps now to ensure that trees bounce back from an infestation and are better prepared for next year.

  • Do not apply a spray insecticide to try to kill the caterpillarsThis is not generally effective and will offer no long-term benefits
  • DO NOT USE HIGH NITROGEN FERTILIZERS.
    • These products cause trees to rapidly put out new growth which can use up the energy stores the trees need to resist pest activity
  • NEVER USE “WEED AND FEED” PRODUCTS near your trees
    • Especially during times of drought and reduced moisture, adding herbicides to the soil can be deadly to trees that are already suffering from a lack of nutrients and other resources
  • If possible, remove any visible caterpillars and their webs
    • Properly dispose of leafroller larvae by burning or by bagging in plastic and putting in the garbage.
  • WATER, WATER, WATER!
    • Proper watering, and even aggressive watering during extended dry periods, is the most important step you can take to bolster your trees’ health
  • Apply soil amendments to help increase the amount of nutrients in dry, desiccated soil
    • Organic products can be utilized that do not contain an excessive amount of nitrogen and will not cause unsustainable growth
    • Installing mulch and compost around your trees is always a good idea, as it helps the soil maintain a constant temperature and moisture level, and it adds nutrient-rich organic material
  • Consider applying systemic insecticides in the late winter or early spring that can help inoculate your trees
    • It is important to introduce insect control measures into the tree’s circulatory system at the appropriate time
  • Contact a local ISA Certified Arborist® to evaluate your trees and make specific recommendations
    • Hackberry trees are prone to a fungal root rot caused by Kretzschmaria deusta and are made more susceptible when stressed by other factors
  • In the spring, evaluate trees to remove any dead wood and assess health

Treat for Leafrollers in the Late Spring or Early Summer

Hackberry leafrollers only have one generation per year, laying eggs on tree leaves in the fall, which hatch the following year. In North Texas, this occurs around May. Within a few weeks of the hatching, a soil-injected product containing acephate can be used, with a possible second application after a few weeks if activity is still seen. If you see leafroller webs this year, contact an arborist to get on the schedule for pesticide application next spring.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! This summer has been rough on all living things in North Texas and we are saddened to see another threat to Hackberry trees has become active while we are still dealing with drought and heat. Our team of certified arborists is ready to come out and assess your hackberries and all your trees to provide recommendations for soil amendments and insect control tailored to their specific needs. Contact us today!

Share This Blog
blooming tree, spring blooms PREV BLOG
NEXT BLOG

Search Within Blogs

Recent Posts

  • Why do Arborists Recommend Soil Sampling in Urban Areas like Dallas?
    Understanding, protecting, and improving soil health is one of the most effective ways to support tree health. […]
  • Why Are My Oaks Producing so Many Acorns?
    Is there anything you can do about the excess in acorns? 👀 […]
  • Spider Mites
    Spider mites may be small, but they can have a huge […]
  • 10 Tips from Your Local Arborist to Enhance Your Tree’s Health
    Like most living things tree require care and attention to thrive. Don't wait till there's an issue to manage your trees health. […]
  • Benefits of Becoming a Tree City USA in Texas
    Across the country, more than 3,200 communities—from small towns to major cities—have achieved Tree City USA designation. What are the benefits for Texan cities to pursue this recognition? […]

Ask Texas tree Surgouns

  • What's Wrong with My Tree
  • Local Arborist Services
  • Consulting
  • Tree Planting
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Trimming
  • Tree Health Care
  • Roots
  • Insects & Diseases
  • Tree Recommendations
  • Turf & Trees
  • Extreme Weather
  • Fall Tree Care
  • Spring Tree Care
  • Summer Tree Care
  • Winter Tree Care
  • Top 10
  • Resources
  • Tree Owner's Guide
  • Ask Texas Tree Surgeons
  • Events
  • Video

Follow

Recent Comments

    Archives

    • October 2025
    • September 2025
    • August 2025
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • February 2025
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • March 2024
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • August 2023
    • July 2023
    • May 2023
    • February 2023
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • August 2020
    • June 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    Related

    Related Blogs

    Similar blogs related to this topic

    All Blogs
    What's Wrong with My Tree

    Why do Arborists Recommend Soil Sampling in Urban Areas like Dallas?

    Soil sampling is a crucial practice in urban areas like Dallas. It helps arborists make informed decisions about your landscape to ensure a healthy urban ecosystem. Our native soils vary widely—from the dense clays of…

    Read more Oct 23, 2025
    What's Wrong with My Tree

    Spider Mites

    Spider mites may be small, but they can have a huge effect on the health of trees.  These tiny arachnid pests are common on urban trees in North Texas, affecting both evergreens (like cedar and…

    Read more Oct 15, 2025
    Local Arborist Services

    10 Tips from Your Local Arborist to Enhance Your Tree’s Health

    Trees are an integral part of our environment, providing shade, beauty, and clean air. As living organisms, they require care and attention to thrive. Who better to offer advice than your local arborist? Here are…

    Read more Oct 13, 2025
    Contact Us

    Get Your Estimate Today!

    Ready to get started? Have a question? We’d love to hear from you. Request an estimate and get started today.

    Contact Us
    Locations

    Areas Served

    Tree Services in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

    • Dallas
    • Grand Prairie
    • Plano
    • Denton
    • North Richland Hills
    • Southlake
    • Fort Worth
    • Lewisville
    • Carrollton
    • Highland Park
    • Euless
    • Colleyville
    • Arlington
    • Frisco
    • McKinney
    • Grapevine
    • Garland
    • Wylie
    • Irving
    • Richardson
    • Coppell
    • Mesquite
    • Farmers Branch
    • Flower Mound
    • Keller
    • Addison
    • Rockwall
    • Prosper
    • Allen
    • Murphy
    • University Park
    • Trophy Club
    view more
    footer logo

    Dallas Tree Surgeons or Texas Tree Surgeons? Both! Same great people. Different name.

    • 469-387-6000
    • [email protected]
    Services
    • All Services
    • Local Arborist
    • Tree Health Care
    • Tree Removal
    • Tree Trimming
    • Tree Planting
    • Stump Grinding
    Quick Links
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Faqs
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    Follow us on

    "Dallas Tree Surgeons" and "Texas Tree Surgeons" are registered marks of Tree Surgeons LLC.

    Copyright ©2018-2024 Tree Surgeons LLC