[Brenp]

Hi - I have a Laburnum tree which is around 4 years old and which flowers every year but for the last two years we have had a really big problem with snails.

Last year, they ate a huge amount of new flower buds and leaves. This year, we were on the look-out for them so not so much damage was done but it did affect the amount of flowers quite a bit.

Last year, i put sand around the base of the tree and cut back anything growing nearby so that the snails had nothing to climb on to reach the tree. unfortunately, this year i hadn't cut back far enough because they just hadn't seemed to be gathering at all. WRONG! Overnight they had arrived in masses and the only way to get them off was with a long stick.

We have heard of sticky bands to put round the tree but i have not been able to find them and not sure how successful they are.

Could anyone advise me on how they've dealt with this problem? I would be very grateful for any help and advice.

Thank you
Brendap

[Yorkie]

Welcome to the site 

I have little snails (mainly stripey shells) that seem to work their way up my laburnum tree too.  Is the tree still growing?  If so, I suspect that it will grow out of being affected.

I've not heard of sticky bands for snails.  Copper tape might make a difference, or simply slug pellets at the bottom of the tree.  If you are concerned about wildlife, you can get friendly slug pellets (except to the slugs and snails, that is) called Growing Success.

[sunshineband]

Copper tape should work if the snails are indeed climbing up the trunk...... but are they?

Have they actually taken up residence further up all along and overwinter somewhere up the tree too?

Might be worth a look later in the season when they leaves have fallen.

Just a thought