Flowering Cherry Bacterial Canker: Gumming, Dieback, and Copper Spray

Symptoms Cherry blossom tree: yellowish, slimy, irregular blob near base of trunk (like Jell-O). Diagnosis: Bacterial Canker Caused by Pseudomonas syringae. AKA: bacterial blast, bacterial gummosis. Prime attacker of c

Live Oak Tussock Moth Caterpillars: Identification and Management

Identification South FL live oak: insects with white backs + spikes. = Whitemarked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma) caterpillars. Biology & Impact 2–3 generations/year. Spring hatch → disperse on silk → feed on oak (p

Juniper Odor Mystery: Cat Urine vs. Plant Emissions

Case Blue Rug & taller junipers by front porch. Bad odor centered on plants, prevents open windows. Suspect neighbor cats. Expert Analysis Ammonia smell = urine (cat or other). Urine can burn juniper foliage (brown tip

Aspen Burrowing Insect: Likely Earwigs, Not Primary Pests

Description Insects burrowing into aspen bark, leaving holes. Slender, antenna-like fork on tail. Under lumber piles. Thrips-like but with fork. Probable ID: Earwigs Forceps (pinchers) on rear = fork. Nocturnal, hide i

Dwarf Lime Leafminer: Cosmetic Damage, Natural Control

Symptom Squiggly lines on end leaves of dwarf lime branches. Identification: Citrus Leafminer Larva of tiny moth (Phyllocnistis citrella). Burrows between upper/lower leaf epidermis (like eating peanut butter from sand

Fuchsia Leaf Deformity: Early Developmental Injury

Fuchsia leaf problem Fuchsia leaves Symptoms Gartenmeister Bonstedt fuchsias: top leaves disfigured, shot through near petiole. Lower leaves fine. No insects found (slapped on paper, magnified). Recurred after move + ne

Sugar Maple Lightning Strike and Lichens: Damage Assessment

Split bark Bark Split = Lightning Strike Vertical split at 1 ft and 7 ft = classic lightning path. Moisture in phloem conducts lightning → explosive bark separation. Center moisture = tree explosion. Wet bark = less da

Cleveland Pear Street Trees: Regional Decline vs. Fire Blight

Case MD community: 10 Cleveland pears, 5 yrs old. One tree thin, small leaves, brown curled edges, some leafless branches. Others fine. Mulched, suckers trimmed. Two Distinct Possibilities IssueSymptomsAction Regional

Old Cherry Tree White Crust Decline: Internal Decay Management

Case Old cherry (30+ yrs?), gorgeous pink blooms, no fruit. Limbs getting white crust, leaves dying, spreading fast. Loved tree. Diagnosis White crust = likely fungal fruiting bodies (conks) or lichens on dead wood. Ra

Plum Fruit Drop: Water, Pollination, or Fungus?

Symptoms Large crop but many small, hard, red fruit dropping at touch. Possible Causes CauseMechanismCheck Irregular waterDrought → rain swings = fruit abscissionWeekly deep soak Poor pollinationFew seeds = fruit drops

Red Sunset Maple Top Leaf Drop: Root System Lag

Case Two 2-yr-old Red Sunset maples (16 ft): lose leaves at top branch ends in summer. Top branches bare. Watered/fertilized properly. Need iron? Diagnosis: Root-Foliage Imbalance Newly planted trees: roots cant suppor

Foxtail Palm Trunk Constriction: Terminal Condition Warning

Critical Symptoms 1-yr-old foxtail palm (15 ft): trunk shrinking 2.5 ft above ground. Fronds emerge green, then limp/die in days. Maintenance company stumped. Expert Assessment Trunk constriction = serious vascular dis

Yellow Fungus in Houseplant Pot: Harmless Saprophyte

Observation Bright yellow growth in philodendron pot. Never seen before. Will it kill plant? Identification Myriad soil fungi fruit in organic-rich potting mix. Yellow = likely Leucocoprinus birnbaumii (flowerpot paras

Magnolia Scale and Sooty Mold: Insecticide Needed Beyond Hand-Picking

Symptoms 10-yr-old magnolia bush: white fuzzy mounds on branches, branches turning black, declining. Scraped mound → brown liquid. Told aphids; sprayed insecticide, no improvement. Diagnosis White mounds = Magnolia Sca

Jasmine Summer Dieback in Spain: Water Stress and Pruning Strategy

Case 6-ft jasmine (Spain), years healthy, fragrant white flowers. This hot summer: leaves brown, looks dying. Always hot—why now? Diagnostic Steps Scratch Test: Scrape twig bark with nail. Green = alive. Brown = dead.

Maple Trees with Hollow Limbs: Decay Fungi, Ants, and Fertilizer Strategy

Observations 7–8 large maples (SW Michigan): 2–3 sparse, early red leaves. Storm-broken branch revealed white larvae + ants in hollow area. Decay Fungi Ecology Enter through wounds → decay dead heartwood only. Do not a

Lacebark Elm Sudden Browning: Trunk Injury Likely Cause

Case 5-yr-old lacebark elm: all leaves brown in 2 days, bark peeling trunk. Dry hot summer, recent rain, regular watering. Small branches still green inside. Expert Assessment Sudden total browning + bark peeling = acut

Pecan Bark Peeling in Strips: Lightning Strike Suspected

Observation Dallas, TX: One pecan with bark peeling base to near top, 3–8 wide strips. No prior history. Not typical fungus/insect pattern. Expert Hypothesis: Lightning Strike Lightning follows moisture path in trunk →

White Oak Galls: Fuzzy Balls Are Insect Homes, Not Leaf Eaters

Observation White oak leaves: yellow/pink fuzzy round balls + holes in leaves. Are the balls eating leaves? Identification: Oak Galls Caused by tiny wasps (Cynipidae) or midges. Plant tissue grows around insect larva =

Oak Borer Management: Vigor, Merit Spray, and Japanese Maple Safety

Case 30-yr-old oak (NW Arkansas) attacked by borers. Half tree healthy. Concern: will borers attack nearby Japanese maple? Borers 101 Attack stressed trees only (drought, injury, disease). Healthy, vigorous trees resis