Cllr Caroline ffiske writes:

Box hedges across Hammersmith are being munched to death 

While out and about in Hammersmith this spring I have noticed that in garden after garden, box hedges, large and small, are being destroyed by the box tree caterpillar.

This is a new arrival into this country – only arriving in force in 2011.  If left to its own devices, it will completely destroy a box hedge.  As I walk around it is evident that many households take great care of their front gardens, creating a community asset for all to enjoy as they walk past.  So it is sad to see their efforts being destroyed.

Please look at the attached photos below and pass the news to any friend or neighbours whose box plants and hedges you see in a terrible condition.

This blog post from the Royal Horticultural Society tells you more about the caterpillar and how you can deal with it.

Utterly destroyed

box hedge destroyed – neighbour untouched!

too late to save