Old oak grove in trouble, need help

[mystic]

Scott Geerds wrote:
> 
> In article <35CB7938.15DEA54B at earthlink.net>, "Mike S. in FL"
> <vaxmgr at earthlink.net> wrote:
> 
> sounds like spider mites....
> 
> scott
> 
> > We've go an old oak grove with trees that seem to be infested with some
> > strange tiny spider looking things. They're nearly microscopic (about .5
> > to .75 mm) and are shrouding these old oaks with what looked at first
> > like some kind of mold but now it appears to be webs of some kind.  It
> > surrounds the tree trunk completely but they don't seem to have reached
> > the tops yet. The trees are about 40-70 ft tall and the little buggers
> > haven't made it to the top. YET.
> >
> > Does anyone have any idea what these could be?  (also, they're slightly
> > orange-red in color) If you know what they might be, do you know of a
> > safe disposal method - or if they need to be controlled.  One tree after
> > another seems to be getting targeted.  Please keep in mind that there
> > are horses loose in the area also.
> >
> > Thanks much,
> >
> > Mike Smith in FL.
> > (oh yes, did I also mention we're in N. Central Florida?  in case it
> > makes a difference)

NO, NOT SPIDER MITES.  BARK LICE.  THEY'RE MUNCHING OUT ON WHATEVER
ALGAE AND SMALL BUGS THAT MAY BE INFESTING THE BARK.  THEY'RE NOT
HARMFUL.  LEAVE THEM ALONE - THE WEBS SHOULD DETERIORATE THIS FALL, AND
YOU'LL NEVER KNOW THAT THEY WERE THERE.

APPLEMAN