Honeylocust 'Shademaster' Branch Dieback: Canker or Borer Risk

20-year-old Shademaster honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos) shows progressive branch tip dieback, one whole dead limb, and bark peeling. Nursery employee called it fast-growing but short-lived. Expert Input Honeylocust

Apricot Tree Fruit Drop: Environmental Stress, Not Disease

After a heavy crop last year, apricot tree produced no fruit this year: fruits fell at bloom, bean-size, and cherry-size. Good soil moisture, no root rot, ample bees, sunny/rainy weather, healthy foliage. Stalks seemed t

Madagascar Palm Trunk Collapse: Overwatering Suspected

A 6-year-old Madagascar palm (Pachypodium lamerei) in SoCal developed sunken trunk areas, leaf drop, and branch drooping after relocation to full sun. Owner suspects water issues. Trunk Top Diagnosis Water-related: too

Carrotwood Tree Bark Peeling: Canker or Root Rot Investigation Needed

Carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) losing bark in several locations. Owner asks if disease and how to treat. Expert Analysis Bark loss signals serious trouble. Causes range from localized stem cankers to systemic ro

Weeping Willow with Bark Loss and Deformity: Internal Decay, Removal Advised

A 9-year-old weeping willow in Iowa shows bark sloughing, trunk deformity, bore holes in a line on branches, and seeds instead of leaves on many branches. Heavy Miracle-Gro application improved color but not health. A ne

Lemon Tree Leaf Curl and Yellowing in Madrid: Environmental Stress

A potted lemon tree in Madrid (sunny terrace, regular water/fertilizer) shows leaf edge curling, yellowing, scorched appearance, and fruit bud drop. Lemon tree leaves Lemon tree Assessment No infectious disease evident

Angel Trumpet Leaf Curl from Whiteflies: Spinosad Treatment

A 3-year-old angel trumpet (Brugmansia) had curling leaves and whiteflies. Owner sprayed water and dish soap; leaves remain curled. Plant moved outside now shows vigorous new growth but some new leaves still curl. Expla

Cantaloupe Fruit Set Failure: Pollination, Rotation, and Weather Factors

Third consecutive year of cantaloupe vines producing mostly shriveled buds; few fruits mature. Male flowers bloom first; female flowers (with tiny fruit) appear later. 80% of female flowers wilt, tiny fruits turn yellow

Althea (Rose of Sharon) Fungal Leaf Spot After Extreme Rainfall

Four 12-year-old blue altheas in Houston, under crepe myrtles with 4 hours full sun + 2 hours dappled, suddenly developed bright yellow leaf spots after two years of excessive rainfall. Previous brown rusty spots were tr

Queen Palm Spear Discoloration: Unresolved Diagnosis

A frustrated homeowner describes a long-standing issue with a Queen Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) showing brownish scurf on the spear (new growth). Previous expert responses promoted a commercial product (Atomic Grow) and

Tricolor Beech Watering Confusion: Establishing a New Tree

A gardener received conflicting watering advice for a fall-planted tricolor beech (Fagus sylvatica Roseomarginata): never water, water weekly, let dry out, water every two weeks. Leaves are now curled and dry. The tree i

Elm Tree with Peeling Bark and Defoliation: Insect Feeding Likely

A recently moved-in homeowner finds an elm (tentative ID) with severely eaten leaves and peeling trunk bark. Condition has worsened over a year. Tree is near the house. Tree trunk Leaves Assessment Confirm species at

Chinese Pistache with Ringed Holes and Sap: Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker Damage

A 10–15-year-old Pistacia chinensis Keith Davey shows perfect rings of holes with sap flow, dead cambium above/below wounds, and branch dieback. A nearby pistache is healthy. Pistache with sapsucker holes Diagnosis The

Boxwood Decline: Soil Quality, Not Iron Deficiency

Two boxwoods planted last year flank a garage. One thrives; the other shows overall bronzing, poor soil, and no mulch. The owners uncle diagnosed iron deficiency and suggested ferric/ferrous oxide, unavailable locally.

Alternative Citrus Scab Treatment: Organic Product Testimonial

A Texas gardener shares personal success using Atomic Grow, an organic product (corn, soy, cactus, grains) applied as a monthly foliar spray for seven months. The product claims to raise plant brix (sugar levels), deterr

Citrus Fruit Damage in Texas: Sweet Orange Scab Confirmed

A Texas gardener reports blemished fruit on citrus trees, suspecting sweet orange scab. Photos show characteristic scabby lesions on fruit rinds. Citrus damage Citrus damage Diagnosis The symptoms match sweet orange sc

Rose of Sharon with Greenish Bark Spots: Lichens or Algae?

An 8-foot-tall Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) trained as a tree has greenish, quarter-sized spots on many branches. The trunk shows different green growth. The owner wonders if this indicates decline. Identification

Transitioning Water-Rooted Spider Plants to Soil: Preventing Root Rot and Shock

A gardener rooted spider plant babies (Chlorophytum comosum varieties: regular, Hawaiian, curly) in water. When moved to soil, they wilt within hours and develop root rot. Cleaning rotted roots and returning to water pro

Agave Attenuata Discoloration After Transplant: Sun Scorch or Cultural Issue?

A gardener in Southern California (zone 92692) transplanted a large Agave attenuata from a neighbors full-sun garden into a large container with well-draining soil amended with rocks. The plant receives similar afternoon

Chinese Pistache Tree: Identifying White Spots and Branch Dieback

A homeowner in Dallas is concerned about their 19-year-old Chinese pistache (Pistacia chinensis). About 18 months ago, they noticed small, smooth white spots on the branches. The tree appeared healthy and full at the tim