Any tree/horticultural experts here?

66Mustang

Yesterday I drove past a tree which was completely covered in what looked like cobwebs. I mean completely covered as if someone had gone over the top with some halloween decorations. However this was in the middle of nowhere, not near anyone's house, so I'm guessing unlikely that a person had done it (but not ruling it out).

It was very strange and I'd not seen anything like it before.

I would have gotten a photo but it was on a tight country lane and there was already someone photographing it so I couldn't stop.

I'm interested to know if anyone has any idea what this could have been?

atlas47

Hi @66Mustang

Think I know about your cobweb tree.

It’s caused by an invasion of the tree by thousands of catapillors.

Who spin a silky web across the whole tree. So they can feast on the tree and avoid being attacked by birds.

Mother nature is wonderful!

Best wishes

leeCal

I agree with @atlas47, definitely caterpillars ? 

chiarieds

Caterpillar webs of a species of the Ermine moth: http://www.wildlifeinsight.com/30257/extensive-webs-of-tiny-caterpillars-in-hedges-and-trees/

OverlyAnxious

Yes it's caterpillars.   There are some hedges near where I live that are completely covered in it - kept seeing people stood on the public path staring at the hedges and wondering what they were looking at!!  Until curiosity got the better of me...

They can be poisonous/cause a reaction though, so don't touch them. 

66Mustang

Thanks for the answers

Really interesting