Oak Tree Swollen Trunk Areas: Frost Cracks

Vertical Swollen Veins on 50-Year-Old Oak Large oak has vertical swollen areas (adult arm width, 7–15 ft long) on trunk. Several present. Tree dying? Diagnosis: Frost Cracks Caused by rapid expansion/contraction of wate

Sago Palm White Substance: Asian Scale Infestation

Three Sagos with White Flaky Coating on Stems and Fronds White substance flakes off when touched. Photo provided. Same as Above: Asian Scale Rapidly spreading in FL. Persistent, hard to kill. Some success with consisten

Crape Myrtle Cottony Aphids: Sticky Webs and Systemic Control

20 Crape Myrtles with Sticky Spiderweb-Like Material Sticky, web-like coating killing foliage. No obvious bugs. Moore, OK. Diagnosis: Cottony Aphid Small soft-bodied insects suck sap, secrete honeydew (sticky), produce

Sago Palm Asian Scale: Persistent and Difficult

White Spray-Paint-Like Coating on Sago Palms White coating on sago palms; suggested scale. Asian Scale Crisis Spreading rapidly in central/south Florida. Extremely persistent. Some report consistent pesticide treatment

Fall Mum Webbing: Spider Mites and Systemic Treatment

Webbing on Buds and Leaves of Fall Mums Webbing covering buds/leaves, sticky feel, killing foliage. No obvious bugs seen. Moore, OK. Diagnosis: Spider Mites Tiny mites suck juices, produce webbing. Systemic Treatment U

Italian Cypress Decline: Mites, Canker, Root Rot

Top-Down Browning and Death in Recent Years Italian cypress branches brown and die from top down. Any treatment? Known Issues Pests: Bagworms, mites (very susceptible, often infested). Diseases: Root rot in poorly drai

Plum Tree Amber Sap: Gummosis Causes and Diagnosis

Sticky Amber Sap Oozing from Plum Trunk What causes plum tree to ooze amber sap? Gummosis: Symptom, Not Disease Sap exudation from bark break. Causes: Peachtree Borer: Low on trunk (<1 ft), frass (wood debris) in gum.

Gardenia New Leaf Wrinkling: Watering Balance in Australia

5 Potted Gardenias in Perth, 3 Affected Moved 2 months ago, more sun. New leaves wrinkled (away from stem), then yellow, then black at tips. Diagnosis: Watering Extremes Yellow = underwatering. Black = overwatering. Pot

Storm-Damaged Pecan: Clean Cuts, No Wound Paint

Broken Branches from Storm How to treat pecan tree with storm-broken branches. Procedure Make clean cut back to next lateral branch. No paint or wound dressing. Why No Paint? 10-year Rutgers study: unpainted wounds hea

Arborvitae Inner Browning: Normal Seasonal Needle Drop

Inner Foliage Browning and Dropping Past couple weeks, inside leaves browning and falling. Rest of tree green and healthy. Explanation Normal for evergreens. Inner needles shaded, drop first. If outer foliage green and

Mango Tree One-Sided Dieback: Prune to Healthy Wood

Leaves Drying on One Side After Maturation Mango tree leaves on one side dry up and turn brown after new leaves mature. Action Cut back to branch notches (visible line around branch with leaves/small dots). Cut just abo

Peach Tree Black Leaves: Fire Blight Diagnosis and Control

All Leaves Turn Black, No Insects Seen Peach tree leaves entirely black without apparent insects. Diagnosis: Fire Blight Bacterial disease (Erwinia amylovora) destructive on peach, apple, pear. Blossoms wilt, turn black

Duranta (Sky Flower) Leaf Specks and Powder: Neem Oil Treatment

Potted Duranta with Black Specks and White Powder 4-month-old plant in West Palm Beach, FL. Morning shade, afternoon sun. Black round specks on upper leaves (brush off). White powder on undersides (washes off). Recommen

Desert Rose White Soil Growth: Likely Harmless Fungus

Potted Desert Roses Brought Inside for Winter After 3 weeks indoors, white growth noticed on soil surface. Owner worries about fungus. Assessment Probably present outside, just noticed inside. Spray with insecticidal/fu

Citrus Leaf Curl in Miami: Leaf Miner and Sun Requirements

New Citrus Trees with Curled Leaves Lemons, key limes, grapefruits planted in sandy soil amended with cow manure. Leaves curl closed like a book. Owner asks about sun needs (30% shade). Cause: Citrus Leaf Miner Moth lar

Jasmine Scale Infestation: Pink Growths and Leaf Drop

Non-Blooming Jasmine with Pink Growths Jasmine has strange pink growths on branches, leaves brown and falling. Diagnosis: Scale Insects Scale on stems/branches sucking plant life. Treatment Spray with neem oil (organi

White Spruce Construction Damage: Dead or Alive?

30-Foot Spruce Damaged by Neighbors Construction City demands removal, citing death. Tree faded fast but still has needles and sap. Litmus Test All needles brown = dead. Conifers dont re-bud like hardwoods. Branch tips

Orange Tree Premature Fruit Drop: Underwatering and Ants

Oranges Yellowing, Brown Spots at Stem, Ant Holes Flowers normal, but fruit turns yellow prematurely with brownish aging spots at stem attachment, most fall off. Ants make holes in fruit sides. Diagnosis Underwatering:

Pesticide Effects on Plants: Science Fair Guide

8th Grade Project: Pesticides on Grass/Plants Student needs cheap pesticide to test effects easily for science fair report. Pesticide Impacts (Summary) Pesticides affect non-target plants via drift, soil uptake, metabol

Navel Orange Fruit Splitting and Rot: Water Stress

Southern California Navel Oranges Cracking and Rotting Oranges cracking open and rotten on tree. Owner saddened. Causes Normal fruitlet drop after bloom and at pea size. Summer drop (20mm fruit) from heat/water stress—