Little Gem Magnolia Black Coating: Scale and Sooty Mold

Phils Little Gem magnolia in SC has black powder on leaves/branches that scrapes off but doesnt wipe; undersides shiny and healthy. Diagnosis & Solution Black coating = sooty mold from scale insects. Apply Atomic Grow (o

Bonita Ash Slow to Leaf Out: Normal or Borers?

Young Bonita ash in far West Texas desert hasnt budded while others have; trunk has long splits and odd spots. Owner suspects borers. Normal Timing Ash, pecan, hickory leaf out later than other hardwoods. Scratch twig ba

Yucca After Hard Freeze: Wait for Spring

Craigs yucca lost all leaves after a hard winter, shows dark stains and orange sap with white centers. He asks if treatable. Assessment Yuccas tolerate 0–10°F but prefer warmth. Dark stain = freeze damage; orange sap =

Plum Tree with Jelly-Like Sap: Borer Infestation

Renees plum (NW Florida) had scale last year, treated with oil. Now jelly-like sap oozes from bark, and knobby growths appear at new shoots. Diagnosis: Borers Sap indicates borers inside the trunk. Quick Fix & Long-Term

Arborvitae Hedge with Gaping Holes: Photo Needed

Debbies 2.5-year-old Emerald Green arborvitae hedge (20 plants) has top-to-bottom holes, not filling in. Lawn service started 9 months ago. She asks if disease or snow damage. Next Step Steve requests photos of the hedge

Lemon Tree Yellow Spots: Sunburn, Not Disease

Monikas lemon in Punjab, India developed yellow spots that browned and dried leaves after a sudden temperature rise. No chemicals used. Diagnosis: Physical/Chemical Injury Spots resemble sunburn from sudden exposure of

Japanese Beetle Control on Purple Sand Cherry

Gardener seeks Japanese beetle control after last summers infestation on purple sand cherries. Options by Population Level Low numbers: Hand-pick in morning, drop in soapy water. Avoid pheromone traps—attract more than

Mystery Green Bubbly Growth on Hibiscus: More Info Needed

An Ohio gardeners hibiscus (5–7 ft, pale purple/pink blooms) has green bubbly growth on branches. No photos. Expert asks: when did it appear? Were branches under snow? Can it be removed by hand or hose? Could be superfic

Mimosa Tree Bark Bare Spots: Need Photo for Diagnosis

Melvins large mimosa in Fort Worth has bare bark spots on several limbs, not gnawed. Steve requests a photo to determine if areas lack branching, show bark damage, or have mushrooms at base.

Young Live Oak with Black Trunk: Scale and Fire Ants

Jeffs young live oak has a black, cracked trunk and fire ants at the base. Fungicide already applied. Immediate Steps Kill fire ants—they farm honeydew-producing insects and indicate decay. If leaves present: spray tru

Emerald Green Arborvitae Browning: Juniper Blight Likely

Wess 3-year-old arborvitae hedge (15 plants in groups of 3) has two groups turning brown. He asks about mortality rates and 3-year die-off. Key Requirements Zones 6–9, full sun, good drainage. Long-lived—often outlive

Quaking Aspen Sudden Fall: Fungal Canker Suspected

A 6-year-old aspen grove lost one 8-inch tree that snapped at ground level in wind. The break revealed rot; others appear healthy. Slow Decline, Not Sudden Death The tree likely declined over months/years. Fungal canker

Autumn Blaze Maple in Amarillo: Checking Viability

Sabras 4-ft Autumn Blaze maples (planted ~2004) show no leaves or buds in November. She asks what to do. Viability Test Scratch bark with fingernail—green underneath means alive. In Arkansas, maples bud later; Amarillo

Pittosporum with White Growth: Spittlebugs Then Scale

Katlins 1-year-old pittosporum had white, foamy, ball-like clusters for 7–8 months. Malathion didnt work. Follow-up revealed black spots on leaves, then a harder, sticky, green-centered growth. Identification Initial f

Drake Elm Uneven Bud Break: Environmental Cause Likely

One branch (25% of crown) on a 2-year-old Drake elm has tiny leaves that stopped developing while the rest matured. Owner also requests pruning guidance for leggy young trees. Assessment Inspect the base of the lagging

Orange Tree Cyclic Dieback: Root or Trunk Issue

Ambers orange tree repeatedly grows new limbs that then die, in cycles. No photo provided. Diagnosis Approach Inspect trunk and branches for loose/damaged bark. Whole-tree cycling suggests a root-related problem. Conta

Repeated Apricot Tree Deaths: Zone, Drainage, and Establishment

Kathy lost four apricot trees over five years—sudden whole-tree wilting in June/July with no prior symptoms. Two new trees are planted; she wants them to survive. Critical Factors Verify correct hardiness zone for the

Meyer Lemon Not Fruiting: Pollination Issue

A 2-year-old Meyer lemon in Florida bloomed heavily but all fruitlets dropped. Owner fertilizes regularly, provides sun, waters only when dry. Cross-Pollination Needed Lemons produce more fruit with cross-pollination. A

Southern Live Oak Leaf Spot: Fungal Disease Management

An 8-year-old live oak in Williamsburg, VA shows smooth, non-raised spots on green and brown leaves, premature drop, and yellow-bellied sapsucker holes. Diagnosis: Leaf Spot Fungus Multiple fungal (and some bacterial) p

Seedling Crepe Myrtle Decline: Root Rot from Moisture Imbalance

Lindas seed-grown crepe myrtle (3–4 in) yellowed and dropped leaves after fertilizing. Rinsing and repotting didnt help; other seedlings show similar stalling. Root Malfunction Diagnosis Yellowing and leaf drop indicate