Trees Resistant to Japanese Beetles

Japanese Beetles plague the landscape of the eastern United States. Without many natural predators, these insects devour plants and trees at will. Certain products are effective against Japanese Beetles, but insecticides damage the environment and harm beneficial insects, while traps attract more Japanese Beetles to an area. Certain tree varieties have much less appeal to Japanese Beetles as food sources, and these trees will need less care to protect them from Japanese Beetles. Such trees mixed into the landscape will also cause the area to be less appealing to Japanese Beetles, offering some protection for susceptible plants in the same area.

Certain types of Oak trees are unappealing as food to Japanese Beetles. Northern Red Oak, White Oak, Scarlet Oak and Black Oak all have some resistance. The Northern Red Oak has the most recommendations for Japanese Beetle resistance.

Magnolias, hollies, and hemlock trees all resist Japanese Beetles. Spruces and pine trees have some resistance. Of these, the White Pine and Norway Spruce varieties have the most resistance Japanese Beetles.

Although many maple tree varieties have strong susceptibilities to Japanese Beetles, one variety has a strong resistance to the pests. Plant the Red Maple variety for resistance to Japanese Beetles.

Crabapple trees have a reputation for susceptibility to Japanese beetles, but certain cultivars have a moderate resistance to the insects. 'Red Jewel,' 'Adirondeck,' 'Louisa,' 'David,' and 'Bob White' will resist Japanese beetles much better than other crabapple trees.

Linden trees have also been considered very susceptible to Japanese Beetles, but some varieties do resist the pests. Silver Lindens and the cultivar, 'Legend' American Linden have some resistance to Japanese Beetles.

Hickory, red bud, tulip poplar, sweetgum and dogwood trees all resist Japanese Beetles.