Journal of the cherry tree ants

[AntsLuxembourg]

Hey,

As some of you may know, I stopped keeping ants, however that doesn't mean I won't post stuff like this journal.

So to get started, I moved to a new home with a garden and I wanted to plant some stuff, one of which is going to be a cherry tree. Of course only once it's ready for planting and once I made up my mind. What you need to know is that my home is right next to a forest and I'm sure you all know what that means. Ants are pretty much everywhere. I don't think they are already digging in the current pot, but one colony is nesting in a former big flower pot and another colony is next to a tile of my walking path.

Anyway, I was taking care of a few of the plants and thought it would be nice to take some pictures of the ants sitting on leafs of the Cherry tree as they seem to be drawn to some of the sweet juices / liquids off the young tree. I'm pretty sure it's going to be some time before the tree is big enough to grow any fruits and until then, I will enjoy to take some pictures for you guys.

Here is the link for anyone who wants to have a look.
https://imgur.com/a/3vMk4tY

Will try to post some pictures every so often for you guys.

If anyone wants to try and ID I guess it's lasius niger but I might be wrong.

[antperson24]

Hey,

As some of you may know, I stopped keeping ants, however that doesn't mean I won't post stuff like this journal.

So to get started, I moved to a new home with a garden and I wanted to plant some stuff, one of which is going to be a cherry tree. Of course only once it's ready for planting and once I made up my mind. What you need to know is that my home is right next to a forest and I'm sure you all know what that means. Ants are pretty much everywhere. I don't think they are already digging in the current pot, but one colony is nesting in a former big flower pot and another colony is next to a tile of my walking path.

Anyway, I was taking care of a few of the plants and thought it would be nice to take some pictures of the ants sitting on leafs of the Cherry tree as they seem to be drawn to some of the sweet juices / liquids off the young tree. I'm pretty sure it's going to be some time before the tree is big enough to grow any fruits and until then, I will enjoy to take some pictures for you guys.

Here is the link for anyone who wants to have a look.
https://imgur.com/a/3vMk4tY

Will try to post some pictures every so often for you guys.

If anyone wants to try and ID I guess it's lasius niger but I might be wrong.

They are as you thought, Lasius niger. I will be interested to see the colony grow!

[AntsLuxembourg]

Found the cherry tree laying on the side this morning. Probably due to the wind.

[AntsLuxembourg]

After returning from my trip to Düsseldorf (Japanday) I found the cherry tree laying on the side yet again due to strong winds. Noticed it this morning myself that we have some random strong winds coming through lately. I already prepare everything for repotting so there would be more weight to the bottom, making it harder for the cherry tree to fall over and then I found an actual colony inside it. They had managed to dig out some big tunnels and I would consider that they actually are a full colony. I didn't see any eggs tho. Maybe in the future.

I did what I planned to do and added some soil on the bottom, put the tree inside and then adding soil all around to give the roots of the tree a lot of space to expand. I'm sure the colony will provide the tree with some room to grow the roots in and get some additional air while the tree gives them structure for their chambers. After that was done, I watered the tree and placed it so the ants could (if they find their way back) return to the cherry tree without drowning in the "moat" if there is water.

It will take them some time to dig their way out, but I am sure the ants will as well appreciate the bigger area and safer tree.

Also found a colony in one of my rosemary pots.

[antperson24]

After returning from my trip to Düsseldorf (Japanday) I found the cherry tree laying on the side yet again due to strong winds. Noticed it this morning myself that we have some random strong winds coming through lately. I already prepare everything for repotting so there would be more weight to the bottom, making it harder for the cherry tree to fall over and then I found an actual colony inside it. They had managed to dig out some big tunnels and I would consider that they actually are a full colony. I didn't see any eggs tho. Maybe in the future.

I did what I planned to do and added some soil on the bottom, put the tree inside and then adding soil all around to give the roots of the tree a lot of space to expand. I'm sure the colony will provide the tree with some room to grow the roots in and get some additional air while the tree gives them structure for their chambers. After that was done, I watered the tree and placed it so the ants could (if they find their way back) return to the cherry tree without drowning in the "moat" if there is water.

It will take them some time to dig their way out, but I am sure the ants will as well appreciate the bigger area and safer tree.

Also found a colony in one of my rosemary pots.

Maybe they were in the process of moving when you found them.
What species is the colony in the rosemary pot?

[AntsLuxembourg]

Maybe they were in the process of moving when you found them.
What species is the colony in the rosemary pot?

Will create a seperate Journal later. I took some pictures etc.

As for the cherry tree colony it might take them some time to figure everything out.

[AntsLuxembourg]

Here is an update on the colony. I have no idea if they are still inside the cherry tree pot, however I still spot ants roaming around the tree and it's leafs and branches.

Here are some pictures of them.
https://imgur.com/a/RgQ0oZu

They also had a visitor on a neighbouring lavender plant.
https://imgur.com/a/VQi7QsO

And as a fun little bonus / game I took a picture where it's pretty much find the worker.
https://imgur.com/a/FUd1mWE

So as for the cherry tree, it's nice and growing and I hope the ants are doing alright, despite me unpotting the plant last time and then throwing a bunch of dirt on top of the whole thing. ^^ I guess I will know once I see a lot of dirt that was moved.

Let me know what you guys think of the pictures.

[antperson24]

Is this it's abdomen?

[AntsLuxembourg]

Is this it's abdomen?

I don't think the picture worked ^^'
Try again and maybe use imgur.com. It's an easy drag and drop

[antperson24]

Is this it's abdomen?

I don't think the picture worked ^^'
Try again and maybe use imgur.com. It's an easy drag and drop

Hmm, here is the link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZCWYbJHsA57y2nSj9
Also just let me try the image again (I forgot to share the album.):