Sticky Stuff – Falling From Trees

Q: I’ve noticed in early Noveber that the sidewalks and even cars under all kinds of trees get a light sappy coating on them. It doesn’t feel as sticky as pine sap and comes off with a little rubbing.

A: I noticed the little shiny dots on my windshield last week. It’s likely a substance called honeydew that aphids excrete when they’re feeding up in the trees. When a killing frost is late to arrive the aphid population can get pretty high, particularly in crapemyrtles.