What is a key cultural prevention method for dogwood borer?

What is a key cultural prevention method for dogwood borer?

• A. Mulch around base to prevent trunk injury
• B. Prune in late winter
• C. Apply pesticide sprays to foliage
• D. Water with high-nitrogen fertilizer

Answer: (A)

Protecting the trunk from injury is a primary way to reduce dogwood borer problems. Dogwood borers attack stressed or damaged trees, and entry points are often created by physical injuries to the trunk. Mulching around the base helps prevent those injuries from lawn equipment and weed whips, which keeps the cambial tissue intact and reduces tree stress from moisture and temperature fluctuations. Do this properly by applying about 2 to 4 inches of organic mulch in a circle around the trunk, and keep the mulch several inches away from the trunk to avoid rot. Other options don’t fit as well for cultural prevention. Pruning in late winter can create new wounds that may attract borers and doesn’t address existing trunk injuries. Spraying foliage won’t reach larvae inside the bark. Using high-nitrogen fertilizer can encourage lush, tender growth that may be more attractive to pests or simply doesn’t prevent infestation.

Protecting the trunk from injury is a primary way to reduce dogwood borer problems. Dogwood borers attack stressed or damaged trees, and entry points are often created by physical injuries to the trunk. Mulching around the base helps prevent those injuries from lawn equipment and weed whips, which keeps the cambial tissue intact and reduces tree stress from moisture and temperature fluctuations. Do this properly by applying about 2 to 4 inches of organic mulch in a circle around the trunk, and keep the mulch several inches away from the trunk to avoid rot.

Other options don’t fit as well for cultural prevention. Pruning in late winter can create new wounds that may attract borers and doesn’t address existing trunk injuries. Spraying foliage won’t reach larvae inside the bark. Using high-nitrogen fertilizer can encourage lush, tender growth that may be more attractive to pests or simply doesn’t prevent infestation.