Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

What Causes Sticky Leaves on New Fruit Trees?

The sticky substance on your new fruit tree's leaves is almost certainly the work of common fruit tree pests. While this sticky substance is not dangerous, if left on the tree it can grow sooty mold which will impair the leaves' ability to absorb carbon dioxide and light. To remove the sticky substance, simply spray the tree's leaves with water. However, it is likely to come back unless you tackle the underlying infestation.

Brown Soft Scale

The brown soft scale is a small, immobile insect that looks like a crusty bump or scab on the tree's leaves. However, unlike bumps, they can be easily brushed off. Adult scales suck sap from the tree's leaves and then secrete sticky honeydew onto the leaves. To get rid of scales, spray the tree with a fruit tree safe insecticidal soap or horticultural oil in spring or early summer.

  • The sticky substance on your new fruit tree's leaves is almost certainly the work of common fruit tree pests.
  • While this sticky substance is not dangerous, if left on the tree it can grow sooty mold which will impair the leaves' ability to absorb carbon dioxide and light.

Whiteflies

Adult whiteflies lay their eggs on the underside of leaves. And when the larvae hatch, they suck sap from the leaves and release ample amounts of sticky honeydew. In significant infestations, it can even be seen dripping from the tree's leaves. To get rid of the invaders, spray your fruit tree with a fruit tree safe organic insecticide as soon as you identify the whitefly's larvae.

Aphids

Aphids are another fruit tree predator that sucks the sap from the tree's leaves and leaves behind a sticky honeydew residue that can be seen dripping from the leaves if present in significant amounts. Other signs of aphids are puckered marks and yellowed, twisted leaves. To control aphids, spray the undersides of the leaves with a fruit tree safe organic pesticide or insecticidal soap. Only spray the areas where you notice the infestation.

  • Adult whiteflies lay their eggs on the underside of leaves.
  • Aphids are another fruit tree predator that sucks the sap from the tree's leaves and leaves behind a sticky honeydew residue that can be seen dripping from the leaves if present in significant amounts.

Other Sap-Sucking Insects

Other honeydew leaving insects like mealybugs, pear psylla and leafhoppers can be harder to distinguish by the damage that they leave behind. To properly identify the culprit, take a few leaves (and any insects that you can catch) to your local nursery to have them identified. Then ask how best to handle the infestation, but note that almost all of these insects can be killed with a fruit tree safe dormant oil or insecticidal soap spray applied to the tops and undersides of the leaves.

Related Articles

What Effect Does a Leaf Miner Have on a Tree?
What Effect Does a Leaf Miner Have on a Tree?
Pests That Eat Navel Orange Tree Leaves
Pests That Eat Navel Orange Tree Leaves
Homemade Organic Pesticide for Fruit Trees
Homemade Organic Pesticide for Fruit Trees
How to Identify Fruit Trees by Leaves
How to Identify Fruit Trees by Leaves
Insects That Attack Citrus Trees
Insects That Attack Citrus Trees
Fruit Tree Leaves Are Turning Yellow
Fruit Tree Leaves Are Turning Yellow
My Black Walnut Tree Has Worms
My Black Walnut Tree Has Worms
Why a Leyland Cypress Tree Is Turning Brown
Why a Leyland Cypress Tree Is Turning Brown
Fruit Trees & Ants
Fruit Trees & Ants
How to Get Rid of Caterpillars in Fruit Tree
How to Get Rid of Caterpillars in Fruit Tree
How to Remove Sooty Mold from Citrus Trees
How to Remove Sooty Mold from Citrus Trees
How to Prevent Aphids on Elm Trees
How to Prevent Aphids on Elm Trees
How to Get Rid of Grub Worms in a Fruit Tree
How to Get Rid of Grub Worms in a Fruit Tree
About Meyer Lemon Tree Diseases
About Meyer Lemon Tree Diseases
Leaf Diseases of Lemon Trees
Leaf Diseases of Lemon Trees
What is the Growth Rate of a Holly Tree?
What is the Growth Rate of a Holly Tree?
How to Get Rid of an Inchworm Infestation
How to Get Rid of an Inchworm Infestation
What Can Be Wrong When My Kumquat Tree Keeps Losing Leaves?
What Can Be Wrong When My Kumquat Tree Keeps Losing...
Garden Guides
×