Ants

[Red]

I just planted a tree next to an any colony. Will the ants damage apple trees at all? Should I get rid of them? If so, any ideas?

 

[Red]

Here are the little buggers close up.

 

[MM Ryan]

The ants should not bother the trees. I have planted apples near ant hills before too. I did spray the ants to be safe, but I have not found ants to be a problem with apple trees.

 

[sandbur]

They have seriously stunted some of the smaller apple trees that I have planted.
when I plant apple trees in the environs where these big ant hills exist, I throw the extra pieces of sod or XS dirt well away from the apple tree. I feel any high spot tends to attract ants and a new colony.