Fall Webworms on Bradford Pear: Identification and Safe Control

Bradford pear trees have webs at branch tips full of worms. The expert identifies them as fall webworms—common on sweetgum, pecan, and sometimes ash. They’re usually too high to reach, and their impact is minimal.

Management

• Prune out accessible webs and destroy them.
• Rake and discard fallen leaves before spring (pupae overwinter in leaf litter).
• If spraying is desired and reachable, use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)—sold as Thuricide or Dipel—effective on caterpillars, safe for beneficials.

No need to panic; the tree will recover.