046 – Ants and aphids Fruit trees

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Paul and Jocelyn are visiting Whip & Kelley in Big Fork Montana. He was asked to help solve an
infestation problem on an apple tree. Paul sees a lonely apple tree with a deer proofing wire
cage and a strawberry plant. ants and aphids were everywhere on this tree and the signs of aphids were
clear on the underside of the curled leaves (aphid infestation). Ants love to eat aphids , but are bad. Paul suggests diatomaceous earth and a generous amount of it when it’s good and dry.

The permie solution is planting a guild vs a solo fruit tree. Paul’s #1 plant to add is comfrey then he suggests dandelion as well as alfalfa. He recommends about a dozen different plants including edibles. This polyculture of plants will bring in a host of insects and nature will balance itself. The sole tree demonstrates the evils of monoculture planting.

Relevant Threads

Ants Farming Aphids
Dandelion With Fruit Trees
Comfrey

Credit: Mariane Cicala

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