Weeping Willow Trunk Holes: Borer vs. Sapsucker Damage

Two Distinct Causes New home weeping willow with trunk holes—no visible insects, leaves present—has two likely causes: Borers (beetle/moth larvae): Round holes, sawdust (frass), can kill tree if untreated. Yellow-be

Crape Myrtle Scale Infestation: Honeydew, Ants, and Systemic Control

Diagnosing the Infestation 10-year-old crape myrtle with attached insects on branches/trunk, sidewalk sap (honeydew), and ladybug-like black/red beetles has scale insects—the beetles are ladybugs (predators) eating scale

Ficus Leaf Fold and Black Bugs in Caribbean: Aphid Infestation

Identifying the Pests Three ficus in British Virgin Islands with leaves folded in half, filled with tiny black bugs with orange/yellow specks (eggs/nymphs) are infested with aphids—likely black citrus aphid or similar. W

Norway Spruce Lower Branch Death: Needle Blight Diagnosis

Investigating Basal Dieback Three Norway spruces with dead lower 1/8 branches (no needles), sparse new growth, but green cambium on some dead-looking branches indicates fungal needle blight (Rhizosphaera, Stigmina, or Li

Potted Magnolia Yellowing and Brown Spots: Water, Fertilizer, and Algae

Diagnosing Container Magnolia Issues A 9-ft potted magnolia with daily watering, yellowing leaves, brown spots (non-crispy), and new growth browning—last fertilized 3 weeks ago with acidic azalea food—has three interacti

Grapevine Leaf Curl After Planting: Transplant Shock Management

Assessing the Single Affected Vine One of three new grapevines (Thompson Seedless) near San Francisco with curled, shriveled top leaves—others fine—shows transplant shock, not disease. Green color, no wilting, and slow g

Asian Pear Rust and Fruit Drop: Cedar-Quince Rust Management

Identifying the Disease Asian pear with rust-like leaf spots and total fruit drop—if fruits had orange gelatinous tentacles, its cedar-quince rust (Gymnosporangium clavipes). Requires juniper/cedar alternate host. Leaf s

Lilac White Fuzzy Branches: Powdery Mildew vs. Cottony Aphid

Simple Touch Test Diagnosis 3-year-old lilac with white fuzzy coating on branches (not leaves) in June—two possibilities: Powdery mildew: Dusty, rubs off as powder, static. Cottony aphid: Wet/sticky, moves when touc

Petunia Worms in Reused Pots: Soil vs. Butterfly Source

Identifying the Worms Second-year worms on petunias in same pot/soil—likely caterpillars (butterfly/moth larvae), not soil-dwelling pests. Butterflies lay eggs on petunias annually; larvae hatch and feed. Soil reuse is i

Pittosporum Variegated Sudden Death: Root Rot or Overwatering

Diagnosing Rapid Decline Three Pittosporum variegated planted last spring—one dead, two wilting/paling—in Southwest location indicates overwatering or root rot (Phytophthora/Pythium). Pittosporums need full sun, excellen

Black Oak Slime Flux: Bacterial Sap Flow Management

Understanding the Ooze Sticky sap seeping at 4 feet on a 3-year-old Black Oak in Boise is slime flux (wetwood)—bacterial fermentation inside the trunk producing gas pressure that forces sap out. Two types: alcoholic (yea

Plum Tree Soft Bark Bumps: Scale Insect Infestation

Identifying the Bumps Small, soft, easily scraped bumps on 5-year-old plum trunk/branches that leave bark depressions are scale insects—not a disease. Oval, stationary, suck sap; heavy infestations can kill branches or e

Queen Palm Trunk Rot: Black Ooze and Frond Death

Serious Palm Decline Two Queen Palms planted Nov 2007: one replaced for leaning, now the replacement leans; the original has black trunk, brown fronds, and non-sticky black/brown liquid leaking onto underplantings. This

Weeping Willow Sudden Leaf Drop: Water Deficit or Hidden Pests

Binary Diagnosis A weeping willow with sudden yellowing and total leaf drop in 2 weeks, no visible bugs, has two causes: Water deficit—willows are riparian; need constant moisture. Hidden pests—aphids, spider mites,

Tibouchina Tree Pest Complex: Holes, Scale, and Cultural Needs

Sorting Multiple Issues A tibouchina with leaf holes, white crusty insects (scale), yellowing leaves, and Malathion failure has three problems: Leaf holes: Slugs/snails (inside) or grasshoppers (outside)—neem oil dete

Gasoline Smell in Garden Soil: Likely Anaerobic Decay, Not Contamination

Overwhelming Kerosene Odor When Weeding — What Is It? In a neglected bed with pittosporum, asparagus fern, rosemary, and a snail-filled flue, disturbing dry soil released a strong petroleum smell. No sewer cleanout nearb

Chokecherry Black Knot: Hard Charcoal-Like Branch Growths

Confirming Black Knot Disease Wide, thick, hard black growths on chokecherry branches, with narrowing at the trunk, are classic black knot (Apiosporina morbosa)—a fungal disease of Prunus species. The charcoal descriptio

Azalea Leaf Gall: Fungal Disease Identification and Control

Recognizing the Distinctive Galls Azalea leaves swelling into thick, cream-colored, then brown, succulent distortions indicate azalea leaf gall (Exobasidium vaccinii)—a fungal disease transforming leaf tissue into spore-

Mature Weeping Cherry Trunk Growth: Crown Gall vs. Black Knot

Diagnosing the Softball-Sized Growth A 24-year-old weeping cherry with a softball-sized trunk growth near ground oozing sap has two main possibilities: Crown gall (Agrobacterium tumefaciens): Bacterial, no cure, event

Weeping Willow Pruning Near Power Lines: Leader Training Approach

Safe Size Management A weeping willow approaching power lines can be managed without topping (which destroys form and creates hazards). Instead, use leader training during dormancy (autumn to early spring): Pruning Prot