Ants on Chestnut Trees

[KSQ2]

Ants are absolutely hammering our chestnut trees. They are just shredding leaves and not just a few. The trees seem to be putting out more leaves, but surely it has to be hampering their growth some. These are 5 year old plantings that I grew from seed and the are 9-12’ tall. Do I need to hit them with seven spray? Or is this normal and I don’t need to worry about it.

 

[Mennoniteman]

Ants are absolutely hammering our chestnut trees. They are just shredding leaves and not just a few. The trees seem to be putting out more leaves, but surely it has to be hampering their growth some. These are 5 year old plantings that I grew from seed and the are 9-12’ tall. Do I need to hit them with seven spray? Or is this normal and I don’t need to worry about it.

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I'd give them a dose of Sevin or some ant granules at the base of the tree. I know it's just nature taking it's course, but if they are as pervasive as the japanese beetles something needs to be done to save the tree. If I didn't spray the jap beetles they would kill all of my fruit trees.