Despite the name, fall webworms start showing up on Central Alabama trees well before autumn. Right now is when the first silky, tent-like nests begin appearing at the ends of branches on pecan, persimmon, and sweetgum trees, usually noticed once they have grown large enough to catch the eye.
The webbing itself looks alarming, but the real concern is what is happening inside it. Larvae feed on the leaves enclosed within the nest, and a heavy infestation across a small ornamental tree can strip a meaningful portion of its canopy before the season is over.
Established, healthy trees usually tolerate webworm damage without lasting harm, but younger trees or ones already stressed from this summer's heat are more vulnerable. An arborist can assess whether a specific nest needs treatment or just monitoring as the season progresses.
Have you spotted any webbed nests on the branch tips of trees in your yard this summer?
#CentralAlabamaTreeService
A close-up photo of a fall webworm nest at a branch tip, or a wider shot showing an affected tree from a real ACE job site. Authentic job photos are strongly preferred over stock imagery.
Canva text suggestion: "Webworm Nests Are Already Showing Up" or "Know the Signs Before They Spread"