Pruning Storm‑Damaged Arborvitae: Save or Remove the Broken Limb?

The Damage Heavy snow snapped two large limbs on a 20‑foot arborvitae. One limb has a two‑foot lengthwise split high in the canopy, but growth above the split remains green. Decision Guide Wait and watch: If the limb i

Herbicide Damage Causing White Leaves Across the Landscape

The Scenario After a massive over‑application of a long‑lasting weed killer (four containers instead of one), white, paint‑like discoloration appeared on leaves of a small tree, weeds, oaks, ashes, and a neighbor’s peren

Identifying Fungal Growth on a Tree Trunk

What You’re Seeing The photo shows a shelf‑like structure with visible gills on the bark—a classic sign of a basidiomycete fungus (a wood‑decay mushroom). The gills produce microscopic spores that spread the fungus. Wha

Managing Scale on Sago Palms After Frond Removal

Background A sago palm was heavily infested with white scale. Last November, all fronds were cut back. The owner wants to know if new fronds will emerge and how to prevent scale from returning. Will New Fronds Grow? Yes

Reviving a Yucca After a Severe Winter Freeze

The Situation A large yucca in a front garden in England has shed all its leaves after a brutal winter. The owner hopes to save this prized plant that adds character to the property. What to Do Now Patience is key. Wait

Dealing with Woolly Aphids and Cold Damage on Camellias

Identifying the Problem Two camellias in front of a home in Mississippi are showing a white, powdery substance on the undersides of leaves, and most of this years blooms turned brown after an unusually cold winter. The p

White Spots on Red Maple: Superficial Fungus/Algae, Not Harmful

Mature Maple Has White Patches on Lower Branches in Winter Chicago area. White, paint-like spots 1–5 inches on lower branches only. No texture like lichen. Pure white. Expert Identification Superficial fungus or algae (

Flowering Plum Caterpillar Outbreak: Identification and Prevention

Late Summer Defoliation by Half-Inch Caterpillars Flowering plum lost all leaves; caterpillars spread to flowering almond and coneflowers. Owner wants ID and prevention for next year. Expert Recommendations Many caterpi

Angel Trumpet Leaf Drop: Pot Size and Watering Consistency

Plant Loses Leaves at 1.5 Inches Despite Bug Treatment Bought at garden sale. Dropped all leaves indoors. Regrew, curled, dropped at 1.5 inches. Bugs sprayed, gone, but leaves still drop. Advice Kathy: keep spraying for

Tiny White Bugs in Houseplant Soil: Fungus Gnats or Springtails?

Soil Infestation After Spider Mite Eradication Tiny white bugs smaller than rice grains in soil only, not on plant. Soap and repotting didnt work. Expert Suggestions Send close-up photo for ID. Constantly moist soil enc

Miniature Rose Leaf Spots: Thrips and Disease Management

Indoor Mini Rose Has Brown Patches and Nodules on Leaves After winter dieback, plant regrew. Greenfly (maybe thrips) controlled with soap. Now leaves have transparent brown patches and raised brown nodules. Advice Kathy

Avocado Seedling Browning Leaves: Potting and Watering Issues

6-Month-Old Indoor Avocado Loses Lower Leaves Grown from pit in Maine. Transplanted to soil; one leaf dropped. Now top growing, but two older leaves browning. Owner worries about cycle. Answer Kathy says avocado in pot

Oak Tree Brown Leaves After Freeze: New Buds Signal Recovery

7-Year-Old Oak Leaves Turn Brown and Leathery Owner fears tree dying. Expert asks: did it leaf out well last spring? Check for bark wounds, root disturbance, sudden freeze damage. Scratch twigs for green tissue. Follow-

Ornamental Pear Decline: Fire Blight, Brittle Branches, Graft Weakness

Three of Six Pears Thin, Dark Limbs, Brown Fall Foliage Trees in a row; three have few blooms, dark limbs, leaves turn brown and drop early without color. Expert Overview Ornamental pears (callery pears) have known issu

Bougainvillea Blue Wood: Fungal Pigment, Lab Diagnosis Needed

Post-Hurricane Bougainvillea Blooms Then Dies, Wood Turns Blue After Hurricane Dolly, bougainvillea bloomed heavily then branches died. Cutting back revealed blue wood. Unsterilized saw spread issue; whole plant died. E

Crabapple Trunk Galls: Adventitious Roots, Not Disease

Swollen Trunk Areas Worry Owner Galls along trunk; owner fears for tree shading patio. Expert Reassurance Not black knot. Swellings likely adventitious roots. Avoid trunk wounds (mowers, trimmers). Water and fertilize a

Aloe Vera Root and Crown Rot: Repot Healthy Parts

Indoor Aloe Shows Rot After Winter Reddish dots on leaves, then dark watery base leaves, weak stem and roots. Inner plant still healthy. Expert Action Plan Likely root/crown rot from wet soil. Repot healthy portions in

Red-Tip Photinia Foaming at Base: Slime Flux, Not Leaf Spot

Large Red-Tip Foams White at Trunk Base After Rain 5-year-old plant never did this before. Also has Entomosporium leaf spot from wet spring, but too large to spray. Owner cleans fallen leaves. Expert Distinction Foaming

Magnolia Not Growing: Termite Medicine Misapplied

Three-Year-Old Magnolia Stunted; Owner Used Termite Treatment Tree not growing. Owner applied termite medicine for possible carpenter ants; no effect. Expert Explanation Termites/carpenter ants dont invade living wood.

Dwarf Yaupon Holly After Caterpillar Attack: Leave Alone to Recover

Shrubs Defoliated by Asps (Caterpillars) Now Regrowing at Tips North Texas yaupons lost all leaves last summer. Now new foliage only at branch tips. Owner wonders if replace or wait. Advice Kathy says plant is healing;