Squirrels or Twig Girdlers? Diagnosing Elm Branch Drop

Likely Not Squirrels

Clean-cut twig ends on the ground = twig girdler or twig pruner (longhorn beetles), not squirrel chewing (which leaves ragged, gnawed ends).

Beetle Lifecycle

• Female girdles twig, lays eggs above cut; twig falls.
• Larvae develop in fallen twig over winter.

Simple Control

Fall/winter: Rake and destroy (burn/bag) all fallen twigs. Prune any hanging damaged tips. Destroys next generation.

Hosts

Elm, pecan, oak, hickory, hackberry, persimmon, fruit trees.

Impact

Cosmetic unless severe for years. Tree health unaffected.