IMo if its growing from the roots itll be ok. They dont seem to like being disturbed.

As for ants. Ive never seen ants eat any of my plants. IF anything, i think they eat some pests. SOme plants (like peoney) wont bloom without them!

If you want to controll them, look up ants natural predators, and encourage them in your yard...

Canadianplant - the ant/peony theory does not appear to be true.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ants and Peonies

neptune24 it is really hard to respond to your post when you give no clue as to where you are gardening. What is your zone? Ants live in the ground and are a part of nature, I leave alone unless I can see they are a problem to what ever I am growing. If your tree has scale or aphids the ants may be contributing to their spread by moving them around. Ants are easily controlled with a boric acid bait. Al

canadianplant wrote:
IMo if its growing from the roots itll be ok. They dont seem to like being disturbed.

OK, thanks.

If you want to controll them, look up ants natural predators, and encourage them in your yard.

That definitely makes sense.

flora_uk, the link you included about ants & peonies seems to be broken or something.

calistoga wrote:
neptune24 it is really hard to respond to your post when you give no clue as to where you are gardening. What is your zone?

I'm in 7B, GA.

Ants live in the ground and are a part of nature, I leave alone unless I can see they are a problem to what ever I am growing. If your tree has scale or aphids the ants may be contributing to their spread by moving them around. Ants are easily controlled with a boric acid bait. Al

Thanks. My tree doesn't seem to have any other problems, so maybe I don't need to worry about the ants?