It's that time of the year when the
Japanese beetles have returned.
You can see evidence of their handiwork towards the top of my Linden tree.
As of yet, I haven't found a safe and sane way to control them. Soapy water works well on most insects. However, it is a bit more difficult to do this on a 40-50 ft tree vs a rose bush.
There are pesticides that the tree can absorb, but every one I have found is also toxic to honey bees. It is no coincidence that in the last few years, I have seen fewer and fewer honey bees, and more Japanese beetles. Last year, I only saw four or five honey bees. This year: zero. Between the city government spraying for the beetles, and homeowners, they have all but wiped them out within the limits of the town I live in.