Are Cicadas Causing Your Tree’s Leaves to Brown?

If you've noticed brown, wilted leaves on your trees recently—especially toward the branch tips—you’re not alone. Many homeowners in Western North Carolina are seeing this late spring and early summer phenomenon and wondering:
“Is something wrong with my tree?”

The good news? If it’s due to cicadas, the damage is usually superficial and temporary.

At Green River Tree Works, we’ve been getting lots of questions this season about cicada-related leaf browning. Here’s what’s going on—and when to take action.

How Cicadas Cause Browning Leaves

After emerging from the ground, female cicadas make small slits in the tips of slender branches to lay their eggs. This process, called “flagging,” disrupts the flow of nutrients and causes:

• Leaves to wilt, brown, or curl

• Small branch tips to die back

• Visible scars or slits along twigs

These symptoms usually appear weeks after the cicadas emerge, and while they may look alarming, they rarely cause long-term harm to mature, healthy trees.

Which Trees Are Most Affected?

Cicadas prefer to lay eggs in:

• Young, thin branches (¼ to ½ inch thick)

• Hardwoods, especially:

  • Oak

  • Maple

  • Hickory

  • Cherry

  • Dogwood

  • Apple and other fruit trees

Newly planted or young trees are more vulnerable to damage because they have fewer branches and limited reserves to recover.

Should You Be Concerned?

For most healthy, mature trees, cicada flagging is cosmetic. The tree will naturally compartmentalize the wound, and new growth will emerge the following year.

However, you should take extra care if:

• The tree is young or recently planted

• The canopy is already thin or stressed

• There is excessive dieback or signs of pests/disease

What You Can Do

1. Do Not Panic or Prune Immediately

While it may be tempting to remove browned tips, it’s best to wait until fall or winter to prune. Early pruning can stimulate unwanted new growth or further stress the tree.

2. Water and Mulch

Support tree recovery with consistent watering, especially during dry periods. Apply mulch to retain soil moisture—but avoid piling it against the trunk.

3. Protect Young Trees

For next cicada cycles, wrap the canopy of young trees with fine mesh netting to prevent egg laying. This is especially useful for new plantings or fruit trees.

4. Monitor for Secondary Stress

Check for other signs of stress—like fungal spots, boring insects, or overall canopy thinning. If you're unsure, call a certified arborist.

Fun Fact: It’s Part of the Cicada Life Cycle

This damage comes from periodical cicadas, which emerge in large numbers every 13 or 17 years. Western North Carolina sometimes experiences these events when different broods overlap.

While they may be noisy and messy, cicadas do not bite, chew leaves, or feed on trees. Their impact is primarily from egg-laying.

Concerned About Your Tree’s Health?

Not all browning is from cicadas. Drought, root damage, fungal disease, or pests like emerald ash borer can also cause similar symptoms.

At Green River Tree Works, our ISA Certified Arborists can help determine whether the issue is cicadas—or something more serious—and recommend the right treatment plan.