Currently, we're not seeing a significant enough population of cicadas that would be a cause for alarm. Unfortunately, social media is responsible for causing hysteria about the cicada populations this year.
Our Davey entomologists in February informed us that the cusp of the population would be seen South of Tollway Corridor 88. As of right now, those predictions are indeed accurate. We are continuing to monitor the situation in the Deer Park area and inspected Charlie Brown Park yesterday, May 22nd. We did not observe cicada activity on any of the newly installed trees or on the mature trees. Cicadas in large numbers will be typically found in heavily wooded areas where tree populations are abundant and mature in size.
We do not wish to install protective netting on the new trees if unwarranted, as the netting left sitting on the canopies of the younger trees can result in misshapen trees once taken off. If Cicada damage does come to fruition, we would speculate it to be insignificant, and perhaps some remedial pruning of the new trees would be required on the pencil sized branches at the very tips of affected trees.
I shall keep you posted and if we notice a significant population increase, we will keep everyone informed.