[Arid_gardener] Re: cascalote trees, white sugar like deposits at the emerging leaves

[Tyler Storey]

Hi Wendy,
The white sugar-like deposit that you see on the cascalote is the exudate of
a psyllid that feeds on the tree.  Or, in normal terms: it's insect poop.  
The psyllid is an aphid-like insect that sucks juice from the tree.  While
it can cause a brief defoliation, generally speaking it doesn't cause a
great deal of damage.  There is really no effective chemical control for it,
and trees generally do fine with even moderate infestations.  
I would suggest that you double-check the cause and effect between the
psyllid poop and the yellow algae in your pool.  Algaes can be caused by a
number of combinations of factors relating to acidity, pH, temperature,
etc., and it would be highly unusual for there to be a sufficient quantity
of psyllid exudate (insect poop) to significantly change the pool's chemical
balance.  
Cascalotes are such great trees that it would be a real shame to whack it
down only to find out it was blameless.
I hope this helps,
Tyler

tyler at tylerstorey.com
http://tylerstorey.com
602-738-2978

-----Original Message-----
From: arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu
[mailto:arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of Wendy
Sent: Friday, December 21, 2007 9:15 PM
To: arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Re: cascalote trees,white sugar like deposits at
the emerging leaves

Hello,
I was researching cascalote information and saw a post regarding  
sticky, white sugar like deposits.  The substance is around all summer  
and causes our pool to turn with yellow algae.  You had recommended  
the poster bring in a sample.  I am curious if they ever did?  Right  
now my tree is beautiful and I love the tree, but if I cannot treat  
the tree I will have to cut it down in the spring.  Thank you,
Wendy
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