Saving a Flood-Stressed Orange Tree After Extreme Rainfall

A 6-foot orange tree in Brownsville, TX declined from the top down after 13 inches of rain in 3 days. Leaves turned light green, then dropped (15% top loss, 50% discoloration). Tree has 50+ fruit and received Bayer insec

Sapsucker Woodpecker Holes in Crepe Myrtle Bark

A 24-year-old crepe myrtle in Fort Worth developed 1-5 inch holes in bark; no photo available. Diagnosis Without a photo, the most likely cause of holes in woody trunks (rather than borer tunnels) is the yellow-bellied

Spider Mites on Junipers and Rosemary Decline: Diagnosis and Care

Evergreen/juniper shrubs show white cotton-like webbing on branches; rosemary plants have large brown sections. Juniper/Webbing Issue Fragile, sparse webbing suggests spider mites—microscopic pests requiring magnificati

Oak Galls on Pin Oak: Harmless but Unsightly Growths

A healthy pin oak developed poop-like growths on branches, identified as galls. What Are Galls? Galls are irregular plant growths stimulated by insect/mite secretions interacting with plant hormones. They occur on leave

Investigating Sudden Decline in Established Beech Hedge

A 10-year-old beech hedge in the UK shows one dead plant (retaining old leaves, no new growth, brittle twigs) and a second with sparse, brown-patched foliage. Plants are non-adjacent; other sections thrive despite dry su

Diagnosing Brown, Hard Meyer Lemon Fruit in Mature Trees

An 8-year-old, 12-foot Meyer lemon in Orlando produced a bumper crop last year but this year shows half the fruit hard and brown (some partially green/soft), with reduced overall yield. The tree receives citrus fertilize

Controlling Honeydew and Sooty Mold on Crepe Myrtles and Understory Plants

Upright elephant ears planted under crepe myrtles became coated in sticky substance, raising concerns about plant respiration. Cause The sticky coating is honeydew excreted by aphids or scale insects feeding on the crep

Borer Infestation in Yoshino Cherry Trees: Gel-Like Sap as a Warning Sign

A Yoshino cherry in a dry summer showed hard, resin-like gel spots on bark while other yard cherries remained healthy. Diagnosis The gel is a defense response to injury, typically from boring insects tunneling into the

Reviving a Declining Potted Palm from Overwatering

A potted palm with a 3-4 inch round base showed progressive browning on 4 of 5 branches over two years. The owner waters frequently and noticed new center growth for the first time. Diagnosis Overwatering is the likely

Understanding Decay Fungus Fruiting Bodies on Oak Trees

A white, slimy, condensation-dripping growth appeared at the base of an oak tree. Identification This is the fruiting body (conk/mushroom) of a decay fungus living on dead woody cells inside the trunk. The fungus entere

Why Meyer Lemon Fruits Turn Black and Hard in Containers

A potted Meyer lemon produced mostly black, hard, pea-sized fruits with only 1-2 developing normally. The owner fertilized only twice this year versus monthly March-August last year. Primary Cause Insufficient water is

Cedar-Apple Rust on Apple Trees: Identification and Management

A young apple tree developed orange spots on leaves after two weeks without rain. A follow-up photo confirmed the diagnosis. Diagnosis The orange spots with small raised spiny structures in their centers indicate cedar-

Woodpecker Damage and Borer Infestation in Willow Trees

A mature willow developed light brown fungus-like growth on main branches with 3-4 inch deep holes nearby. A follow-up photo revealed the true culprits. Initial Assessment The first diagnosis suspected a decay fungus wi

Diagnosing Premature Leaf Drop in Ginkgo Trees

A California Central Valley resident noticed one of two 10-year-old ginkgo trees turning gold and dropping leaves in July after a cold, wet spring followed by hot, dry summer. Sprinklers were off for a week, but deep wat

Treating Sooty Mold and Aphids on Sambo Lemon Trees

A North Florida gardener with a 3.5-foot Sambo lemon tree planted last year reported blackening leaves and tiny white insects swarming the plant. The tree produced two large lemons last year but none this season. Diagno

Managing Brown Rot and Other Peach Tree Diseases

After a very wet summer caused peach rot and branch dieback last year, a grower noticed spots on this years peaches, with one fruit showing brown fungal growth on its lower half. Disease Identification The symptoms sugg

Troubleshooting Brown Leaf Tips on Heliconia Plants

A gardener reported that their heliconias emerging leaf tips turn brown, dry, and brittle as they unfurl. The browning progresses down the leaf margins as leaves mature, while mid-sections remain green. Older leaves show

Identifying and Treating Powdery Mildew on Holly Trees

A homeowner noticed a white, rectangular-shaped fungal growth on the undersides of their holly tree leaves, accompanied by browning and premature leaf drop. After severely pruning the tree and disposing of all clippings,

Lilac Powdery Mildew: Common and Recognizable

White, Anemic Leaves = Powdery Mildew The white, anemic appearance of your lilac leaves is classic powdery mildew. It’s one of the most easily recognized plant diseases—white fuzzy patches on leaf surfaces. Management M

Proper Planting Depth and Watering for Cherry Tree Establishment

Root Flare Must Be Visible Your Akebono cherry’s yellowing with brown spots suggests it may be planted too deep or suffering from air pockets in the backfill. The root collar should be at or 1-2 inches above soil grade.