Spider mites are barely visible to the naked eye, but a heavy infestation can leave a tree's leaves looking bronzed, stippled, and tired almost overnight. Hot, dry stretches like the ones Houston sees in late summer are exactly when mite populations explode.
The easiest way to check is to hold a sheet of white paper under a stressed branch and give it a light tap. If tiny specks fall and start crawling, mites are likely the culprit rather than drought alone.
Trees already stressed by heat and low soil moisture are more vulnerable, so treatment works best paired with a deep watering plan rather than as a one-time fix. A certified arborist can confirm mites versus other stress signs before recommending treatment.
Have you noticed any bronze or stippled leaves on your trees this month?
#HoustonArborist #TreeHealth
A close-up job photo of stippled or bronzed foliage from a recent site visit, or a technician inspecting the underside of leaves. Real diagnostic photos build more trust here than stock imagery.
Canva text suggestion: "Bronzed Leaves in August Heat?" or "Spider Mites Love a Dry Summer"