06/03/2026
🐛🌳 PSA: Winter Moth is Active Right Now in the Midcoast Region — Take a Look at Your Trees
If you’ve been hearing what sounds like light rain hitting dry leaves under your oaks and maples lately… that’s not rain.
That’s frass — caterpillar droppings — falling from winter moth larvae that are still actively feeding.
Take a listen to my videos- not as vivid as in person but you’ll get the drift. Also a few pictures of the caterpillar, the grass, and foliage being eaten.
These invasive inchworms have been causing noticeable defoliation this spring in parts of the Midcoast, especially on oaks. While it can look (and sound) dramatic, here’s what most forest landowners can realistically expect:
• Healthy trees will usually push out a second set of leaves later this summer.
• You’ll likely see reduced growth this year — research in similar conditions shows up to a 50% reduction in radial growth on oaks during heavy feeding years.
• One year of defoliation is rarely fatal for vigorous trees, but repeated years in a row can lead to branch dieback and increased stress.
• Maples are usually less affected than oaks.
What you can do right now:
Walk your woodlot this week and take a look. Note which trees are hit hardest and roughly how much of the canopy is affected. That quick check gives you a much better sense of what you’re dealing with than the sound alone.
If you’re concerned about how this might affect your woodlot, Tree Growth Tax plans, or long-term forest health, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to come take a look and give you straight advice based on what’s actually happening on your property. The Maine Forest Service has an entomology team with lots of info as well.
Have you noticed this on your land this year? Feel free to comment or message me — I’m tracking how widespread it is this season.
