Japanese Beetles and CrabApple Trees

Japanese beetles are eating my crabapple saplings. I am afraid these trees won't make it. We are in Minnesota. Have the saplings at top
of slope. Snowdrift crabapples.

Hi Jen,

Did you see this post about using chickens and traps to control Japanese beetles?

https://permies.com/t/36988/chickens/Japanese-Beetle-chicken-feeders

I have had fantastic success handpicking. Take a jar of soapy water with you every day when you make your rounds. Their numbers will drop dramatically.