While Chicagoland may have a quiet summer in terms of cicadas, our fellow Midwestern neighbors are preparing for a unique natural spectacle. Brood XIV of periodical cicadas is set to emerge this year after spending 17 years underground. This extraordinary event offers an incredible opportunity to observe the fascinating lifecycle of these insects and reflect on how they interact with our environment—trees in particular.
What Is Brood XIV?
Brood XIV is one of several groups of periodical cicadas in the United States. Unlike the familiar annual cicadas we hear every summer, periodical cicadas follow a strict, long-term cycle of either 13 or 17 years. Brood XIV’s last emergence was in 2008, and it will once again surface in parts of the Midwest, including Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, and Tennessee. While Illinois isn’t on the map for this particular emergence, it’s worth understanding how these cicadas impact trees and what you can do to protect your landscape.
The Cicada Lifecycle
Cicadas spend the majority of their lives underground as nymphs, feeding on tree roots. After 13 or 17 years, depending on the brood, they emerge en masse to molt into adults, mate, and lay eggs. Adult cicadas live for only a few weeks, during which they create a loud, iconic chorus as males sing to attract females.
The egg-laying stage is where cicadas can cause issues for trees. Female cicadas use their ovipositors to cut into small branches and deposit eggs. While mature, healthy trees typically tolerate this damage well, younger or more vulnerable trees, particularly those with pencil-width branches, can experience stress or even breakage from heavy cicada activity.
What Can Homeowners Do to Protect Their Trees?
If you live outside the emergence zone this year, you won’t need to worry about cicada-related tree damage. However, if you have friends or family in areas expecting Brood XIV, here are some tips to protect their trees:
- Wrap Young Trees: For newly planted or young trees, wrapping the canopy with fine mesh netting can prevent female cicadas from laying eggs in the branches.
- Delay Planting: Avoid planting new trees right before or during a cicada emergence to minimize the risk of damage.
- Prune Strategically: After the emergence, prune and remove any damaged branches where cicadas have laid eggs to promote healthy regrowth.
- Consult Professionals: Arborists can help assess potential damage and recommend treatments to keep trees healthy.
The Importance of Trees During a Cicada Emergence
Although cicadas may seem like a nuisance, they play an important role in ecosystems. When they die, their bodies enrich the soil with nutrients, and their underground feeding tunnels improve aeration around tree roots. However, it’s essential to balance the benefits of this natural phenomenon with the health and protection of your trees.
Rely on Homer Tree Care for Expert Tree Service
Even though Chicagoland isn’t in the path of Brood XIV, caring for your trees is always important. Whether you’re dealing with pest-related stress, storm damage, or simply need routine maintenance, the certified arborists at Homer Tree Care are here to help. We provide expert tree care services, from pruning and fertilization to managing invasive pests and protecting your trees from environmental stressors.
For your neighbors in areas anticipating cicadas, recommend they reach out to local arborists to help safeguard their trees. And if you’re looking for the best tree care and plant health services in the Chicagoland area, contact Homer Tree Care today for a free estimate.
