halloween in may???!

If you’ve walked past the Bird Cherry tree at the bottom of the Common recently, you’ve probably noticed that it’s become quite a talking point. Draped in ghostly silk webs, it looks like something from a Halloween scene — but there’s actually a natural reason behind it.
​
Each year, this eerie display is caused by the caterpillars of the Bird Cherry Ermine moth (Yponomeuta evonymella). These small caterpillars spin communal webs and feed on the leaves, stripping them bare, giving the tree its white, webbed look.

It may seem alarming, but they’re harmless. Once the caterpillars pupate and turn into moths, they leave the tree and it starts to recover — usually within a week or so. Despite some leaf loss, the tree bounces back and the cycle repeats the following year.

The webs can stretch across several trees or shrubs, creating the impression of an entire hedgerow wrapped in silk. Birds tend to avoid the caterpillars, probably due to their taste or the protection the webbing offers. And while this is most often seen on Bird Cherry, other trees like Hawthorn and Apple can be affected too.

Nature at work — strange, seasonal, and fascinating!