Flowering Dogwood and Crabapple Leaf Loss: Atomic Grow Suggested

Same Defoliation Issue, Different Responder Ediths trees lose leaves weeks after full size. Tried fertilizer, systemic insecticide. Asks about commercial spray or vinegar/soap. Answer Kathy recommends Atomic Grow (organ

White Raised Spots on Ornamentals: Wax Scale Insects

Spreading Pod-Like Growths on Bushes, Trees, Flowers Centimeter-wide, spongy, white circular pods with reddish centers on stems, spreading for years. Bushes dying. Expert Identification Wax scale insects. They suck plan

Crabapple and Dogwood Defoliation: Wet Springs and Cultural Management

Recurring Leaf Spot and Drop Over Two Years Same trees as above. Owner asks about fertilizer to strengthen trees and home remedies (vinegar, soap) for spraying. Expert Analysis If springs were unusually wet, heavy leaf

Crabapple and Dogwood Leaf Drop: Anthracnose Suspected

Trees Lose Leaves Weeks After Full Expansion 10–12-year-old trees develop brown spots, shrivel, drop leaves within 1–6 weeks of spring. Fertilizer and systemic insecticide didnt help. Fall pruning done. Expert Diagnosis

Grancy Greybeard (Fringe Tree) Sparse Growth: Root Expansion Needed

6-Year-Old Tree Only Leafing at Branch Tips After late frost last year, tree didnt bloom and had few leaves only at tips. This year same, plus green hairs on trunk. Expert Diagnosis Root problem: roots may not have spre

Annuals Dying with Sticky Residue: Slugs or Aphids?

Window Box Pansies Show Torn Petals and Sticky Coating Petals appear eaten, sticky residue on leaves. Same happened last year: shiny coating, then wilting and death. Expert Diagnosis: Slugs Slugs (not insects) leave sli

Oak Root Lifting Patio: Cutting Roots Risks Tree Health

25-Foot Oak Root Causing Patio Hump Large root suspected of lifting paver patio 10 inches. Patio starts 1 foot from trunk. Expert Caution Root cutting may jeopardize tree. First assess other roots and growing space. Con

Sego Palm Brown Leaves After Freeze: Wait and Prune

20-Year-Old Outdoor Sego Damaged by Late Freeze Leaves brown with a little green at bases. Owner asks if leaves will fall, regreen, or if dead; should they be cut? Expert Advice Browning leaves will dwindle. After frost

Weeping Willow Dieback: Bark Peeling, Branches Dying

Multiple Willows Lost, Large Tree Now Affected Five hybrid willows and one large weeping willow died last year; another large weeping willow now shows bark peeling like sunburn, branches dying one by one. Expert Urgency

Fruitless Mulberry Decline: One of Two Trees Struggling

Two Same-Age Mulberries, One Failing Planted 3 years ago. Last year both yellowed and dropped leaves. This year one is full, the other has small, pale leaves with brown edges. Same watering. In Colorado River Valley, 500

American Lilac Sudden Death: Post-Mortem Challenges

Healthy Lilac Turns Completely Brown in One Year Last year vigorous; now totally dark brown, no growth signs. Owner devastated. Expert Perspective Many causes possible; tree autopsies are often impossible after death. B

Plum Tree Loose Bark with Magenta Spores: Complex Diagnosis Needed

Wickson Plum Shows Bark Separation and Pink Powder 25-year-old tree has 1-foot loose bark patch on 5-inch branch, revealing magenta powdery layer (spores?). No green cambium. History of suspected silver leaf, but local e

Lichens on Prairie Fire Crabapple: Cosmetic, Not Harmful

Crabapple Covered in Lichens and Silver Moss Tree healthy and blooming, but owner worried about lichen/moss coverage. Expert Explanation Lichens are algae-fungi symbionts; epiphytes, not parasites. Three forms: crustose

Camellia Yellow Leaves and Brown Flowers: Stress or Damage

Established Camellias Losing Color Leaves turn yellow (not dark green), flowers brown. Planted 1–2 years ago. Expert Suggestions Suspect nutrient or environmental stress. Check base of stems for physical damage. Send ph

Arizona Sweet Orange with Black Spots: Watering and Fungus Issues

Newly Planted Citrus Shows Leaf Spots and Color Loss Orange tree in Yuma, AZ watered daily for 15 days, then twice weekly for 40 minutes, with fertilizer spike. Black spots on leaves, some in leaf tissue. Expert Feedbac

Robalini Palm Disease in Tampa: Lethal Decline Suspected

One of Three Palms Failing Robalini palm leaves are small, limp, and brown quickly; the other two are okay but not perfect. Answer Given Kathy suggests a disease killing Florida palms and recommends Atomic Grow as the o

Judii Viburnum Trunk Rot: Freeze Damage or Root Rot?

Five-Year-Old Viburnum Declining Rapidly Major limbs leafless, no flowers, loose/rotting bark at base, but a few green shoots at ground level. Expert Scenarios If healthy last year: possible cold/freeze damage. If puny

Meyer Lemon Scale Infestation: Identification and Control

White Fluffy Bumps on Indoor Citrus Meyer lemon in pot overwintered indoors develops white fluffy spots with hard black-outlined tops on leaves/stems. Scrapable but concerning. Expert Diagnosis Likely scale insects. Con

Ficus Hedge Decline: Multiple Trees Affected Sporadically

Ficus Hedge Losing Leaves and Becoming Brittle Five months ago, one of 20 ficus trees began dropping leaves and turning brittle; two more followed, not adjacent. Whitefly was controlled; not the cause. Expert Advice Dif

Sweet Autumn Clematis Chartreuse Leaves: Likely Environmental Stress

Vine Shows Yellow-Green Foliage Patches A healthy-looking Sweet Autumn Clematis has chartreuse-colored sections. Owner wonders about nutrient deficiency or disease. Expert Input Kathy notes these vines rarely have major