Hi folks: Tent caterpillars are proliferating on the common hawthorne in my parking strip in Seattle. So far they haven't spread to the Washington Thorn next to it. I know when I was a kid in Michigan tent caterpillars were very common (at least in some years) and caused lots of leaf damage. They were considered pests and we were urged to destroy them. In a different climate and locality and a more ecologically aware age, I'm wondering what course of action, if any, people suggest taking with them. I've planned to remove the hawthorn, which is somewhat invasive in this area and is too close to the corner to suit traffic engineers, anyway, so if anyone thinks tent caterpillars should be destroyed I would probably just get rid of the tree. Any thoughts on tent caterpillars? Thanks, Paul Talbert Hillman City, Seattle tuisto@oz.net
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