Sweetgum defoliation

be an indication of an aggresive leaf feeder.  In severe cases the entire tree may become defoliated.  This feeding is being done by the sweetgum defoliator, a small caterpillar, Paectes abrostoloides (Guenée), which eventually turns into a moth.  This pest has not been sighted in the southeast since 1997.  There is really nothing that can be done to treat this pest during this season but a Merit application may protect the trees for the following season. There is also no guarantee the pest will reappear next year.  Merit applications are expensive and have not been proven to control this pest.  The trees should recover, if not this season, then by next year unless the drought and high temperatures become more severe this summer.  Watering, of course, does help reduce the stress on the trees and help with recovery but be sure to obey watering restrictions.

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