Council considers chopping down row of trees to end caterpillar infestation

A row of cherry trees lining a street in Corby, Northamptonshire, may have to be chopped down after being plagued by webbing from a moth for a second year running.



A number of people are concerned about the trees in Cottingham Road, which have been covered in webbing from top to bottom. While the webbing from an ermine moth is harmless and poses no health risk, this is the second year running that the trees have been affected so they may have to be chopped down and replaced with a different species which won’t fall victim to the pest.





A spokesman for Corby Council said: “We are aware there are trees on Cottingham Road which have been affected by ermine moth (bird cherry moth); a type of caterpillar which produces an excessive amount of webbing within the host trees. The webs are completely harmless and pose no health risk, these would usually only last from May to July with the moth flying late summer.


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“Our tree and landscape officer has been out and inspected them and has found the trees are currently not dead, dying or dangerous and are in a safe condition. As this is the second year running these trees have been infected by ermine moth, it is likely they will soon have to be removed and replanted with a different species not prone to this type of pest. During the cycle in which ermine moth take over our tree and landscape officer will be making regular inspections to monitor the situation.”