August 20, 2025

A neighbor that has a tree service was out yesterday taking care of some trees that had come down during a rain storm. The picture above shows an assemblage of undesirable Spotted Lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) on their very favorite, Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). This was pointed out to him, and he was asked if he would take down the tree along with the others.

I wish these creatures would just go away. There are few birds that will brave eating them. The Tree of Heaven that they love to eat gives them a bitter taste and can even be mildly toxic to predators. And the Lanternflys’ bright coloring is a warning to any likely predator that they should think twice.

Back to our neighbor, he seemed to take great pleasure in removing the Tree of Heaven. An action that was greatly appreciated.

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