Hi All,
New to the forum here but have a question for the experts. We're going to plant a dozen apple trees this year (carefully researched). We have had extensive borer damage to pine trees on our property (all that we have planted, 2-10 years old). Looking at apple pests my main concern is/was the apple borer, but after more searching I haven't found much about it in the state of WI except in the south (we are in Waushara County). My plans to mitigate the borer risk is/was to use insect screen around the trunk during the peak threats (because I'm paranoid). Getting to the point is this level of protection necessary? Also concerned if non-apple borers are a threat to the apples (such as the ones that attack our pine trees). We will not be using any pesticides and will assume we will lose fruit to pests, but I don't want to lose entire trees due to borers! Pine trees are easy to replace (cheap), apples not so much. Thanks in advance!