Protecting NH's Trees from Pests, Disease & Invasives
Mature trees add real value to your property, aesthetically, environmentally, and financially. But trees and shrubs under stress from nutrient deficiency, invasive insects, or disease decline slowly, often without visible symptoms until the damage is severe. New Hampshire's forests and landscapes are also under increasing pressure from invasive species that have arrived in the region over the past two decades.
At Royle Turf & Tick, we take a proactive plant health care approach, monitoring for problems, addressing underlying stresses, and treating invasive threats before they cause irreversible damage.
🌳 NH & ME State Certified Arborist On Staff
We have access to an arborist certified by both the State of New Hampshire and the State of Maine with over 35 years of experience in plant diagnostics and tree health assessment. This gives us the expertise to identify complex problems, including invasive pest infestations, disease, and structural concerns, and recommend the right course of treatment.
🚨 Invasive Species Programs
Invasive insects and pathogens are among the most serious threats facing NH's trees today. Several species active in our region can kill a tree within a few years if left untreated. Early identification and timely treatment are critical, and in many cases, treatment is highly effective when started before decline becomes severe.
Read our full guide to invasive species treatment in Carroll County →
- Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)EAB has spread throughout New Hampshire and is now present in our service area. This invasive beetle kills all species of ash trees, typically within 3–5 years of infestation. Trunk injection treatments are highly effective at protecting ash trees when started early. If you have ash trees, proactive treatment is the most cost-effective approach. Once a tree is heavily infested, options become limited.
- Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA)HWA is a small, sap-sucking insect that can kill eastern hemlock, one of New Hampshire's most ecologically important native conifers, within years of infestation. Look for white, woolly egg masses at the base of hemlock needles. Trunk injection and systemic soil treatments are effective for controlling HWA in high-value hemlocks.
- Winter MothAn invasive caterpillar that defoliates deciduous trees, particularly oaks, maples, cherries, and apples, in early spring. Repeated defoliation weakens trees over multiple years, increasing vulnerability to other stresses. Timing is critical; treatments applied at the right stage in the caterpillar life cycle are highly effective.
- Browntail MothA serious concern in coastal New Hampshire and Maine. Browntail moth caterpillars defoliate trees and produce toxic hairs that cause a rash similar to poison ivy on contact with skin. Management includes both treatment for tree protection and property-level mitigation. We coordinate treatment timing to the caterpillar life cycle.
- Spotted Lanternfly (Emerging Threat)Spotted lanternfly has been advancing through the Northeast and is now confirmed in parts of New England. A significant threat to fruit trees, hardwoods, and ornamentals. We monitor for its presence and are prepared to respond as the population reaches our service area.
- Other Invasive Insects & PathogensOur diagnostics capabilities cover a full range of invasive and native pests including Asian longhorned beetle, bronze birch borer, scale insects, and invasive forest pathogens. If you're seeing something unusual in your trees, contact us. Early identification is the most valuable tool we have.
💡 Early Action Is Everything
With most invasive tree pests, the window between "treatable" and "unsaveable" is a matter of years, sometimes just one or two growing seasons. Don't wait until you see significant dieback. If you have ash, hemlock, or other at-risk trees on your property, contact us for an assessment.
Plant Health Care Services
- Deep Root FertilizationNutrients injected directly into the root zone under pressure, bypassing the turf layer and delivering macro and micro-nutrients exactly where trees and shrubs need them. Far more effective than broadcast surface applications.
- Trunk InjectionDirect injection of treatments into the vascular system of the tree, used for targeted insect control, disease management, and nutrient delivery. Especially effective for EAB and HWA management.
- Insect ControlManagement of pest insects including invasive species, scale, aphids, spider mites, and more, using targeted approaches appropriate to the specific pest and host plant.
- Disease Prevention & ManagementProactive fungicide programs and treatment for fire blight, apple scab, anthracnose, powdery mildew, and other common ornamental diseases.
- Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs)Redirect growth energy from shoot extension to root development, improving drought resistance, reducing pruning needs, and helping stressed trees recover.
Biostimulant ApplicationsMycorrhizal inoculants, humic acids, and biological inputs that improve nutrient uptake and support the soil ecosystem around tree root zones.
Mulch Bed Weed Treatment Program
- Spring Pre-Emergent ApplicationApplied before weed seeds germinate to prevent the majority of annual weeds from establishing in your beds, dramatically reducing weed pressure for the full season.
- Monthly Maintenance VisitsFollow-up visits throughout the season to address any weeds that emerge, keeping beds clean all season without the constant labor.
Do You Have At-Risk Trees on Your Property?
Ash, hemlock, birch, and other species are under increasing pressure from invasive pests in NH. Contact us for an assessment. We'll identify any concerns and put together a proactive treatment plan.