Watch this video to see how you can band your trees.

Cankerworms are pests that threaten the health of trees in Durham and throughout the United States. You have probably seen these little, green inchworms falling on threads from trees in the Spring covering sidewalks, cars, and people. Aside from being inconvenient, cankerworms feed on leaves of trees and shrubs, weakening plants and increasing their susceptibility to pests and environmental stressors such as drought and heat.

Cankerworm Outbreak

Cankerworms reached outbreak levels in Durham in 2012-17. This abundance is partially due to the cankerworm’s affinity for over mature willow oaks, like those that line the streets of Durham’s neighborhoods. The cankerworm’s extensive feeding leaves Durham trees even more vulnerable to dying.

Thankfully, we can control outbreaks of cankerworms. Read this fact sheet about these pests and what you can do to protect our trees (PDF).

Workshops

Please contact us to come speak to your organization about cankerworms.

Get Materials to Band Your Trees

There are several places for you to get materials to band your trees.

You can purchase banding materials and Tanglefoot at Stone Bros & Byrd garden center and Durham Garden Center.

You can purchase reuse materials to make your own bands at the Scrap Exchange.

Don't forget the timeline! 

Band it - December 15
De-band it -  March 17  - April 1

Article about cankerworms

Lack of Plant Diversity Spurs Cankerworm Damage in Cities