Connections Hint Today Mon, Aug 4 #823

Need help with Connections puzzle #823 on Mon, Aug 4? Get your daily connections hint today! Find the hidden links between these 16 words: APHID, BEETLE, MITE, TICK, BEECH, CEDAR, PINE, YEW, APPLE, COOKIE, EFFORT, VENDETTA, DECAY, EASY, GEO, ZITI