[Arid_gardener] RE: spider on almond tree

[Donald Garnett]

Dear Patti:
 
The only spiders in the US known to be harmful to humans are the black widow
and the brown recluse spiders. Neither one is white, and as far as I know, 
neither builds webs in trees. Spiders are not a threat to your almond, either,
since they live on insects alone. Be happy that this one is helping to keep 
down the number of flies.
 
I have no experience with almonds, but if the tree was planted only 1.5 years
ago it may be too soon to expect much nut production. Newly-planted trees
need a year or two to get through transplant shock, develop a healthy root
system and become established. If the tree seems otherwise healthy, wait
one more season to see what happens. But someone else on this listing might
have better information for you.
 
    Good luck!
    Don Garnett
    Tucson> Message: 4> Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2007 07:58:43 -0700> From: Patti Ahlman <ppuhalla at cox.net>> Subject: [Arid_gardener] spider on almond tree> To: arid_gardener at cals.arizona.edu> Message-ID: <BEB1BBC2-1A87-11DC-8D59-00039389BF52 at cox.net>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed> > I found a white spider on our young almond tree. It has a big, round > back end and tan-colored legs. It looks as if it laid some egg sacs > just under its web. They are attached to branch, sit right next to each > other, and are bright white. The web wraps around a branch and a few > leaves and the lucky spider was chomping on a fly when I found him > today. It looks like a second but older web was made on another branch > nearby. Is this a harmful spider or something to leave alone?> > I'm thrilled that the almond tree leafed out nicely, flowered, and > produced the beginnings of some nuts, but it seems only one or two are > still there. The tree was planted about 1.5 years ago.> > Any advice is appreciated.> > > Patti
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