Japanese Maple Sunscald: Identification, Prevention, and Borer Risk

Diagnosing Bark Damage Peeling bark with softer underlying wood on a young Japanese maple, especially on south/southwest exposure, indicates sunscald (winter sun injury). Thin-barked maples are highly susceptible. Mecha

Declining 30-Year-Old Tangelo: Age-Related Decline Assessment

Symptoms of Advanced Age Pams 30-year-old tangelo shows cracking/peeling bark, branch dieback from tips inward, yellowing leaves, and progressive canopy loss over 2 years. Top was cut back 3-4 feet last year; 1/5 of bran

Cedar-Apple Rust on Mature Cedars: Identification and Management

Spring Symptom Recognition East Texas homeowner observes dark orange dust on mature cedar branches turning gelatinous after rain—classic cedar-apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae) telial horns emerging from

Cedar-Apple Rust: Life Cycle, Apple Impact, and Fungicide Control

Understanding the Disease Cycle Cedar-apple rust requires two hosts: juniper/cedar and apple/crabapple. The gelatinous orange galls on cedars in spring release spores that infect apples. Cedar galls (golf-ball sized) cau

Citrus Rootstock Evolution: Modern Florida Orange Production

Historical vs. Current Rootstock Practices Roger asks if all Florida orange trees use lemon rootstock. The answer: no, thats an outdated practice. Historically, sour orange and rough lemon were common rootstocks, but mod

Water Oak Borer Damage: Insecticide Treatment and Tree Health

Identifying Borer Activity Two black holes (~1 inch wide) penetrating deep into a water oak trunk with sap leakage indicate borer insect infestation. These beetles bore through bark and wood, triggering sap flow from wou

Flowering Plum Black Knot: Identification and Control

Upstate NY flowering plum has dark growths on branches, split bark. Owner had canker on Rose of Sharon. Expert confirms black knot (fungus Apiosporina morbosa). Affects plums and cherries. Greenish soft knots turn coal b

Meyer Lemon Indoor Crisis: Aphids, Whiteflies, and Root Care

Seasonal Transition Problems Davids 3-year-old Meyer lemon (4 feet tall) thrived outdoors in summer but developed severe aphid and whitefly infestations after moving to a basement under grow lights for winter. Heavy wate

Saving Jasmine Plants: Overwatering, Light, and Neem Oil Solutions

Diagnosing the Jasmine Decline Bingbings Arabian jasmine (5 feet tall) and three regular jasmines show progressive yellowing from leaf edges, then large yellow spots, with 95% leaf loss on the Arabian variety. Despite pl

Boxwood Leaf Curling: Psyllid Infestation and Systemic Treatment

Identifying the Culprit Curling boxwood leaves with off-color foliage (but no yellowing) point to boxwood psyllid (Cacopsylla buxi)—a tiny sap-sucking insect that attacks tender new growth in spring. Feeding stunts shoot

American Holly Yellowing and Black Spots: Fungal Disease Management

Assessing the Hollys Condition The American holly shows yellowing leaves with excessive black spotting beyond normal seasonal leaf drop. Berries remain red, indicating the plant still has some vigor. The owner plans to r

Key Lime Tree Troubles: Sooty Mold and Whitefly Solutions

Diagnosing Your Key Lime Tree Issues Fred has a well-established 6-foot key lime tree showing concerning symptoms: large black, tarry spots on the upper leaf surfaces and a whitish, sticky substance on the undersides. Fr

Meyer Lemon Sticky Droplets on Branches: Whitefly Honeydew

Identification Flat, solidified droplets on branches (not leaves) + sticky balloons = whitefly honeydew. Whiteflies feed on undersides, excrete on branches below. Treatment Pure Neem Oil (Dyna-Gro) – organic, controls

Fig Rust in Key West: Humidity-Driven, Tolerate It

Cause Rust-colored leaves on mission/turkey figs = fig rust (fungal), unavoidable in humid Key West. Cycle Leaves rust in wet season. Drop in fall/winter. New spring growth is clean until rains return. Management No

Mango Tree Black Sooty Mold: Neem Oil for Scale/Aphids

Diagnosis Thick black powder on upper leaf surfaces (washes off with effort) = sooty mold on honeydew from scale/aphids. Treatment Pure Neem Oil (Dyna-Gro) – kills insects, prevents mold return. New growth will be clea

Cottonwoods Dying with Black Beetles: Beetles Are Secondary, Not Primary

Key Insight Black beetles in dead cottonwood wood are decomposers, not killers. They infest already-dead wood. Primary Causes to Investigate Drought stress. Herbicide drift (weed-and-feed on nearby lawn). Soil compacti

Pecan Tree Bark Peeling: Normal Aging Process

Explanation Bark peeling in small, scaly pieces with new bark underneath is normal for mature pecans. As the tree expands, outer bark splits and sheds. Pieces are a few inches long, <¼ thick. Verdict No problem; tree is

Cat-Chewed Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena): Leaf Repair and Care

Clarification “Lucky bamboo” is Dracaena sanderiana, not true bamboo. Chewed leaves cannot be repaired; trim brown tips if desired. Care Essentials Water: Change weekly, use pebbles for support, keep water at pebble le

Aphids in Banana Tree Pot: Soapy Water or Neem Oil

Quick Fix For aphids in potted banana soil: spray with soapy water (squirt of dish soap in spray bottle). If persistent, use Pure Neem Oil (Dyna-Gro) for lasting, organic protection.

White Scale on Sago Palm: Persistent Asian Cycad Scale

Reality Check Asian cycad scale on sago is extremely persistent. Pesticides may suppress but rarely eradicate; scales armor against chemicals and rebound. Management Rotate products; no single cure. Cover roots only wh