Elder tree

Discussion in 'Trees' started by Fat Controller, May 10, 2015.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2012
    Messages:
    27,607
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Public Transport
    Location:
    At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
    Ratings:
    +51,883
    I have an elder in my garden - not a particularly good one, as its an odd shape and I am not really a fan either, however I am stuck with it; anyway, today I was looking at it and it is absolutely laden with blackfly.

    Now, I can hit it with the provado, but I won't be able to get all that much of it - is provado enough in its systemic operation to get rid?
     
    Fat Controller, May 10, 2015
    #1 Quote in Conversation
  2. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2010
    Messages:
    16,524
    Location:
    Central England on heavy clay soil
    Ratings:
    +28,997
    Why not hook it out? If you want Elderflowers for cordials, wine, fritters, jelly, etc. or Elderberries for cordials, jam, wine, etc., just go to a local hedgerow and use precious garden space for something else?
     
    Scrungee, May 10, 2015
    #2 Quote in Conversation
  3. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2012
    Messages:
    27,607
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Public Transport
    Location:
    At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
    Ratings:
    +51,883
    I rent - trees that collapse or die by natural causes I save a photo of and then replace, however other have to remain
     
    Fat Controller, May 10, 2015
    #3 Quote in Conversation
  4. pete

    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Messages:
    50,488
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Retired
    Location:
    Mid Kent
    Ratings:
    +92,076
    Just hit it with a basic insecticide, green fly are easy to kill.:smile::smile:
     
    • Like Like x 1
      pete, May 10, 2015
      #4 Quote in Conversation
    • Sheal

      Sheal Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Feb 2, 2011
      Messages:
      35,981
      Gender:
      Female
      Location:
      Dingwall, Ross-shire
      Ratings:
      +53,889
      Spray it with diluted washing up liquid FC, that will kill them off. They may stick to the tree for a couple of days but then drop off or you could wash them off with a hose after a day or so.
       
      • Like Like x 2
      • Agree Agree x 1
        Sheal, May 10, 2015
        #5 Quote in Conversation
      • KingEdward

        KingEdward Gardener

        Joined:
        Aug 9, 2011
        Messages:
        75
        Ratings:
        +67
        I don't understand why this is even a problem. You don't even like the tree and the aphids are hardly going to kill it - within a few weeks chances are they'll have been slaughtered by ladybirds etc. whose numbers are slower to build up in the spring. Aphids are also good food for various insectivorous birds.

        It's stupid to go wantonly spraying toxic chemicals round the garden for no good reason.
         
        • Useful Useful x 1
          KingEdward, May 11, 2015
          #6 Quote in Conversation
        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

          Joined:
          May 5, 2012
          Messages:
          27,607
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Public Transport
          Location:
          At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
          Ratings:
          +51,883
          I was thinking more of the damage they are doing to other plants currently, or may do as the year goes on and I plant stuff out.

          I would rather not resort to chemicals (hence asking) and will most likely go with Sheal's idea
           
          • Like Like x 2
            Fat Controller, May 11, 2015
            #7 Quote in Conversation
          • mr c

            mr c Gardener

            Joined:
            Apr 14, 2014
            Messages:
            123
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            joiner
            Location:
            N E Scotland
            Ratings:
            +232
            you do know if you cut it down to the ground, it'll come back as a nice bush.
            How big is it,maybe its keeping the fly of your crops
             
            • Like Like x 1
              mr c, May 11, 2015
              #8 Quote in Conversation
            • Fat Controller

              Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

              Joined:
              May 5, 2012
              Messages:
              27,607
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Public Transport
              Location:
              At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
              Ratings:
              +51,883
              It is about 12ft, but its a scrawny old thing - not much shape to the canopy at all. I must admit that I never considered that it might be deterring the aphids from other stuff purely by keeping them occupied. :)
               
              Fat Controller, May 11, 2015
              #9 Quote in Conversation
            Loading...
            Similar Threads - Elder tree
            1. Rob Stevens

              Elder tree wilt/rust

              Rob Stevens, May 21, 2023, in forum: Trees
              Replies:
              4
              Views:
              419
              Rob Stevens
              May 21, 2023
            2. Gn0me

              Downsizing an Elderberry tree

              Gn0me, Aug 9, 2022, in forum: Trees
              Replies:
              5
              Views:
              530
              TreeTreeTree
              Aug 10, 2022
            3. andy873

              Elder Tree, what month is this

              andy873, Jul 31, 2021, in forum: Trees
              Replies:
              5
              Views:
              441
              andy873
              Jul 31, 2021
            4. Ossie

              Problem Elder Tree.

              Ossie, Jun 5, 2017, in forum: Trees
              Replies:
              2
              Views:
              1,153
              Phil A
              Jun 5, 2017
            5. Fat Controller

              Elder tree question

              Fat Controller, May 13, 2013, in forum: Trees
              Replies:
              7
              Views:
              5,224
              Fat Controller
              May 15, 2013

            Share This Page

            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
              Accept Learn More...
              Dismiss Notice