Ginkgo Bark Splits and Pear Tree Ants: Cold Injury and Secondary Pests

Ginkgo (3 yrs, Fort Wayne, IN) has healed bark splits (bright red last year, two new). Pear tree (35 ft) had black leaf spots, then ants destroyed fruit. Questions: cold injury? White paint for ants? Plastic trunk wrap for ginkgo?

Ginkgo Splits

Cold injury (frost cracks) – thin bark + winter sun. Healed splits are good. TLC: water, fertilize for vigor.

Pear Tree

Ants farm honeydew from other insects (aphids, scale). Not primary pests. White paint purpose unclear (maybe freeze protection or insecticide). Plastic wrap risks insect harborage; use tree wrap instead, remove in spring.

Actions

• Inspect pear for aphids/scale; treat them to deter ants.
• Wrap ginkgo trunk with commercial tree wrap for winter; remove spring.
• Consult local garden center/arborist.