Spotted Lantern Fly danger to tree canopy

Recent local news articles have reported the rising danger to our native plants from the rapid growth of the Spotted Lantern Fly population. This pest is particularly attracted to the Tree of Heaven, a prolific and invasive plant that can crowd out native and other valuable non-native trees. You can help mange and control the damage caused. Eliminating the Tree of Heaven on your property or other locations can limit an important food source to the pest avoiding loss of desirable plants especially in natural areas. To learn more, go to the ARLnow article the includes an interview with Kirsten Conrad, our especially knowledgeable Arlington County’s VA extension service agent. For a more detailed article on the Tree of Heaven, go to the Tree of Heaven page on the Nature Conservancy website.