Fall Webworms in Weeping Cherry: Unsightly But Not Deadly

Silken Webs on Branch Tips

Fall webworms (Hyphantria cunea) build gray webs at branch ends in late summer. They eat leaves inside the nest. Damage is cosmetic—late-season leaves have already stored next year's energy.

Control Options

• Mechanical: Prune out small nests; crush. Don't burn (damages tree).
• Biological: Bt spray on leaves near nests (young larvae only).
• Chemical: Orthene, bifenthrin, carbaryl – spray foliage adjacent to webs.

Young Tree = DIY Friendly

Pump sprayer reaches nests on a young cherry. For large trees, hire a pro or tolerate—tree won't die.