Method for the protection of trees

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for the prevention/treatment of hark beetle and/or wood borer infestation of trees comprising treatment of the tree with a composition comprising a macroyclic lactone.

1 . A method for the prevention/treatment of bark beetle and/or wood borerinfestation of trees comprising treatment of the tree with a composition comprising a macroyclic lactone. 
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the macrocylic lactone is a compound of formula I: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       in which 
       R1 to R9 represent, independently of each other hydrogen or a substituent; 
       m is 0, 1 or 2; 
       n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and 
       the bonds marked with A, B, C, D, E and F indicate, independently of each other, that two adjacent carbon atoms are connected by a double bond, a single bond, a single bond and an epoxide bridge of the formula 
     
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     or a single bond and a methylene bridge of the formula 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     including, where applicable, an E/Z isomer, a mixture of E/Z isomers, and/or a tautomer thereof, in each case in free form or in salt form. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the macrocylic lactone is a compound of the formula (II): 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein R1 is methyl or ethyl. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the macrocyclic lactone is the benzoic acid salt of formula II. 
   
   
       5 . The method of any one of the preceding claims wherein the compound is applied to the tree using an injection technique.