fruit trees damaged by beetles

[lorihadams]

I went out about a week ago and my apple and cherry trees had all their leaves stripped overnight by a gang of brown beetles. They literally stripped every leaf. My poor pink lady apple tree has about 10 apples growing on it but no leaves. Will they live to next year or are they a loss? I just planted them in May but they are all about 6-8 feet tall.

 

[lorihadams]

Anybody???

 

[vfem]

I would hope they are ok... I've seen my neighbor's trees get stripped... but they are ok this year.

I wish I had more advice.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

They should make it. I thought one was dead once and cut it down leaving only the stump. The following year I got side branches. I never tried this but next year if they come back try to make a soap and water mixture and spray it on the trees.

 

[lorihadams]

Thanks! Now I know to leave them alone till next year. Whew!