The Silent Invasion: How Suffolk County’s Urban Forest Faces Its Greatest Modern Threat

Suffolk County’s majestic urban forest—home to towering oaks, stately maples, and countless other native species—is under siege by an unlikely enemy. The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula), an invasive insect pest from Asia that primarily feeds on trees of heaven but can also feed on a wide variety of plants such as grapevine, hops, maple, walnut, and fruit trees, will negatively impact the agricultural and tourism industries and may impact New York’s forests. What started as isolated sightings has evolved into a full-scale invasion that threatens the very foundation of Long Island’s green canopy.

Understanding the Enemy

The first New York State infestation was discovered in Staten Island in August 2020. Since then, this destructive pest has rapidly expanded its territory. Suffolk County is now part of a Protective Zone encompassing 20 counties located near the PA and NJ infestations, where DEC and its partners conduct activities such as surveying, monitoring, and management to find and prevent the spread of SLF.

The spotted lanternfly’s lifecycle makes it particularly insidious. There is one generation of SLF per year in Pennsylvania, with eggs laid in the fall (September to December) and hatching in the spring (late April to June). Adults and nymphs use their sucking mouthparts to feed on the sap of more than 70 plant species, and this feeding, sometimes by thousands of SLF, stresses plants, making them vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects. They also excrete sticky “honeydew,” which promotes the growth of sooty molds.

The Proactive Defense Strategy

Fighting spotted lanternflies requires a sophisticated, multi-layered approach that goes far beyond reactive treatments. The most effective defense lies in proactive tree treatments that protect Suffolk County’s urban forest before damage occurs.

The two primary ways to effectively kill Spotted Lanternflies are soil injection – a process where an insecticide is delivered to susceptible tree or shrub through the roots of the plants, where the roots absorb the insecticide and the material moves up, through the living parts of the plants and into the canopy. This systemic approach provides long-lasting protection that works from the inside out.

Timing is absolutely critical for maximum effectiveness. Soil injections need to be done between mid-late March and mid-late May (preferably early to mid-May), with the earliest soil injections done at “bud swell” when the plants begin emerging from dormancy. This narrow window ensures optimal absorption and distribution throughout the tree’s vascular system.

Why Professional Treatment Matters

While homeowners can take some basic preventive measures, professional treatment services offer the expertise and equipment necessary for comprehensive protection. Professional services use top-of-the-line spraying equipment with the ability to spray as high as 60 feet into the trees to effectively control the Spotted Lantern Fly.

The complexity of spotted lanternfly management requires specialized knowledge. Managing SLF on your property involves promoting plant health, destroying eggs, using traps, and using chemical control when appropriate, with management decisions determining which actions are best to take. Professional arborists understand these integrated pest management principles and can develop customized treatment plans based on specific property conditions and infestation levels.

Jones Tree and Plant Care: Leading the Defense

In Suffolk County’s fight against spotted lanternflies, Jones Tree and Plant Care stands as a beacon of expertise and environmental responsibility. Owned and operated by Thomas Jones – New York State Board Certified Arborist, and member of the Long Island Arborist Association, Jones is committed to offering scientifically based landscape management and delivering quality services.

What sets Jones Tree and Plant Care apart is their comprehensive approach to tree health. They focus on proactive treatment strategies that enhance the natural environment of plants, helping them thrive in their natural settings by addressing issues like nutrient deficiency, disease prevention, and pest control to ensure greenery is robust and beautiful year-round.

The company’s commitment to environmental stewardship aligns perfectly with the needs of modern spotted lanternfly management. Jones Tree and Plant Care offers organic programs that promote outstanding land stewardship based on the ecological principles of nutrient cycling, biotic regulation of pests, and biodiversity. This approach ensures that treatments protect trees while maintaining the ecological balance that makes Suffolk County’s urban forest so valuable.

For property owners seeking comprehensive protection, Tree Spraying in Suffolk County, NY services provide the professional expertise needed to combat this invasive threat effectively. Jones Tree and Plant Care creates specific programs based on the needs of each individual customer and property, using a total tree and plant care approach to improve growth, condition and appearance while using environmentally sensitive, affordable treatments.

The Path Forward

The spotted lanternfly invasion represents a defining moment for Suffolk County’s urban forest. While SLF feeding is considered a plant stressor that may contribute to the long-term weakening of established plants and trees, it is currently considered to be primarily a nuisance pest in residential landscapes. However, the cumulative impact of thousands of these pests feeding on trees, combined with other environmental stressors, could have lasting consequences for our local ecosystem.

Success in this battle requires a community-wide commitment to proactive tree care. By investing in professional treatments, property owners not only protect their individual landscapes but contribute to the broader defense of Suffolk County’s urban canopy. The time for action is now—before the spotted lanternfly transforms from an emerging threat into an established destroyer of our cherished trees.

The spotted lanternfly may be a formidable enemy, but with proper proactive treatments and professional expertise, Suffolk County’s urban forest can emerge stronger and more resilient than ever. The key lies in acting swiftly, strategically, and with the guidance of certified professionals who understand both the threat and the solution.