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According to scientists at Penn State University, spotted lanternflies do not typically kill the trees and plants they feed on, but they can cause branches and segments to die off. However, they have been found to kill cultivated grapes, which can have devastating consequences for vineyard owners and regions that heavily rely on vineyards to create jobs and generate revenue. They have also killed the Ailanthu altissima, known as the tree of heaven, though this is classified as a noxious and invasive weed tree.

If you ever want to see the literal fruits of your labor, you’ll need to prune your peach trees. Without pruning, the trees may not grow or bear fruit since the nutrients will be divided among too many offshoots to provide any with enough energy to produce the peaches. Plus, if parts of the peach tree become diseased or pest-ridden, pruning can nip those problems in the bud.

Dead trees are dangerous for several reasons. They are structurally compromised and prone to branch or trunk failure, which can pose a significant safety risk to people, vehicles, and nearby structures. Dead trees can also harbor pests like termites, which may spread to other trees or your home. If a tree died from a disease, it could spread the illness to healthy trees. Additionally, the dry wood is highly flammable, increasing fire risk.

The best way to protect tree roots is to avoid the roots entirely by excavating outside the root radius of the tree. For nearby projects, it’s a good idea to construct a temporary retaining wall. But that’s not always possible, depending on the project and the root system. In these cases, consider using alternative equipment like an auger to tunnel under the ground.

Remember, tree roots can damage nearby cement foundations as they grow. If a tree is close enough to interfere with large excavations, it may be better to remove the tree than risk future problems.