Variegated Willow Myrtle Death: Not Root Rot, Likely Pre-Existing Defect

Tree Dies Two Weeks After Planting One of two newly planted willow myrtles dies in a week. Nursery claims root rot from planting 1.5 inches too deep. Expert Rebuttal Root rot takes much longer to kill. Roots would be st

Pomegranate Bark Rot: Need for On-Site Diagnosis

Bark Rot on Pomegranate Owner asks how to cure bark rot on pomegranate. Expert Response Many factors cause bark problems, not all infectious. Secondary organisms invade stressed/decayed areas, masking the primary cause.

Arborvitae Sooty Lower Branches: Disease or Shade?

Johns 2-year-old emerald green arborvitae (20 plants, soaker hose 6 hrs/week) have sooty grey lower branches turning brittle and falling; some brown higher up. Possible Causes Foliar fungal disease—several fungi attack

Azalea Decline: Reddish/Pale Leaves and Progressive Death

Old Azaleas Showing Color Change and Dieback Long-established azaleas turn reddish or pale green/white, then die in stages. Owner heard it called rust but found no treatment info. Expert Request Steve asks for close-up,

Peach Leaf Curl in Spring: Treatment Options

Can You Treat Peach Leaf Curl After Bud Break? A homeowner notices peach leaf curl on upper leaves in spring and asks if removing affected leaves or branches helps. Answer Provided The responder (Kathy) recommends Atomi

Managing Leaf Spots on Quaking Aspens: Cultural Practices Over Home Remedies

Household Products for Leaf Spot Control? A homeowner asks if antibacterial soap or other household products can treat leaf spots on quaking aspens. Expert Advice No university-backed evidence supports household product

Trachycarpus Fortunei Yellow Leaf Tips: Nutritional or Environmental Stress

Palm Leaf Tips Turning Yellow A 10-foot windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) shows yellowing leaf tips while new growth continues. Expert Assessment Yellow tips suggest nutritional imbalance or root-related stress. A s

Lilac with White Spots and Curled Leaves: Herbicide Injury Suspected

Two Separate Problems on Lilacs White spots on bark and curled, twisted leaves/blooms appear on multiple lilacs after weed killer use nearby. The plant hadnt leafed out yet when sprayed. Expert Analysis White spots: Li

Common Crepe Myrtle Diseases: Powdery Mildew, Leaf Spot, Sooty Mold

Major Disease Threats to Crepe Myrtles In the U.S., the most significant infectious diseases are Powdery Mildew and Cercospora leaf spot, both fungal and primarily attacking leaves. Sooty mold is a non-disease issue: bla

Sugar Maple with Black Trunk and Holes: Sapsucker Activity

Blackened Trunk and Quarter-Inch Holes A sugar maple in Northern GA has a blackening trunk and rows of ¼-inch holes. Leaves appear healthy. Expert Explanation The holes are from a sapsucker (woodpecker). They drill hole

Maple Tree Failing to Leaf Out: Assessing Winter Injury

Brown Leaves Persist, No Buds in Spring A maple that had leaf spots last year (diagnosed as possible anthracnose) now holds brown, curled leaves from last fall with no new buds while other trees are leafing out. Scratche

Tall Phlox Yellowing from Bottom Up: Nutritional or Water Issue

Bottom Leaves Turning Yellow and Dying Healthy-looking tall phlox varieties (David, Laura, Nikki) develop yellowing at the base that progresses upward. No spots or lesions are seen. Expert Diagnosis Steve suspects a nut

Lichens on Miniature Acer: Harmless but Indicative

Gray/White Scaly Growth on Trunk and Branches A miniature green Acer shrub has gray-white scaly patches on the main trunk and branches, some of which are dead. The owner fears disease. Expert Identification The growths

Reviving a Stressed Christmas Palm

Palm Declines After Cold Garage Storage A Christmas palm kept indoors last winter thrived, but after a month in a 45°F garage with queen palms, it deteriorated. One spear (new growth) dried out. The owner moves it outdoo

White Oak Leafless Branches: Natural Shedding or Concern?

Progressive Branch Dieback in Mature Oaks A homeowner notices leafless branches on 20–30-year-old white oaks, starting low and moving higher. Many other white oaks show the same pattern. Expert Opinion Steve agrees this

Yew Shrubs Losing Bark: Causes and Recovery

Sudden Bark Loss on Established Yews Six-year-old yews near a Chicago foundation have lost bark on branches, causing needle browning. No animal tooth marks are visible. Expert Analysis Steve notes that if bark is stripp

White Oak Weeping Sap: Slime Flux Explained

Vertical Crack with Persistent Dampness A 30-foot white oak has a 5–6 foot vertical crack 10–15 feet up, weeping sap and staying damp even in dry weather. Carpenter ants were present years ago but are gone; the old injur

Tulip Tree Troubles: Sapsucker Damage and Basal Decay

Two Distinct Issues Identified A 10-year-old tulip tree in Knoxville, TN shows two problems: (1) small, evenly spaced holes in rings around the trunk and limbs, and (2) loose, flaky bark at the base with powdery wood und

Slime Flux on Maple: Understanding the Smelly Sap Condition

What Is Slime Flux? A homeowner reports dead branches and foul-smelling sap oozing from a Kingston hardwood maple. The expert identifies this as slime flux (also called wet wood), a condition caused by bacterial fermenta

Diagnosing a Declining Pin Oak: Key Signs and Steps

Pin Oak Shows Alarming Decline A ten-year-old pin oak is dying, with grass killed in a perfect circle at the drip line. Unlike nearby oaks, it has no gall wasps and is only leafing out about 50%, with most dead limbs in