ants and blossom

[dondons]

my new apple tree ( not much taller than me as i only bought and planted it last year), blossomed this year. I noticed lots of ants (black ones) walking up and down the trunk. Have they anything to do with pollination or are they causing it harm?

[Jules001]

The ants themselves won't do any harm, but I am afraid if they are in your apple tree, it's a good sign that you have got aphids too, the aphids secrete honeydew which in turn attracts the ants. If you look for curled up leaves, this will be where the aphids are. you don't have to spray the whole tree you can just spray the affected leaves.

[timconor]

Also look out for wooly aphids. These llttle guys hide out in the cracks of the bark. The most effective way of removing them is to scrub the bark with a stiff scrubbing brush and a solution of washing up liquid in water.

[RAYMAN]

Hi,I solved my problem with a spray,Fly& Wasp killer (sanmex) you,ll find it in cheap stores.I sprayed it on the trunk of the tree creating a barrier that the ants didn,t cross,the ants farm the aphids for it,s secreations.

[dibna]

if you spray your tree use a spray that is systemic .just spray on the leaves it will be absorbed into the tree anything that tries to eat the leaves it will die you do not have to spray the bugs.get a good chemical that you only have to use once every six to eight weeks

[dondons]

Thanks everyone, I shall act on your advice.