Question
Mr. Hyland

I live in the Northern Virginia area and have a 15 ft Redwood in my backyard.  As you may know - we are about to experience the 17 year cicada brood.  I have read that the cicadas prefer to lay eggs in hardwoods and fruit trees.  I was wondering if I should do anything to protect this tree from the cicadas.

Regards,
Tom McMahon

Answer
Cicadas do prefer hardwoods and fruit trees (which are hardwoods) Redwoods are conifers. I would not do anything to the redwood unless you actually get an infestation of cicadas in your yard. Just because it maybe the year for the 17 year cicadas does not mean they will be in your neighborhood. IF you do have an infestation of cicadas in your yard this year then you might check and see if in fact they are on your redwood--if so then you could spray an insecticide such as Malathion on the tree. I would not recommend spraying unless you have a problem.