White Fuzzy Spots and Browning on Arborvitae: What's Happening?

Arborvitae naturally shed inner foliage as they age, especially in fall and winter. But white fuzzy eggs on branches warrant closer inspection—they could indicate an insect issue like spider mites or scale. Normal Seaso

Why Is the Bark Peeling Off My Lemon Tree?

Discovering bark shavings around your lemon tree and branches with stripped bark can be alarming. While birds or insects might come to mind, the culprit is often environmental—specifically, overwatering. Overwatering: A

Identifying and Managing Powdery Mildew on Holly Bushes

If youve noticed a powdery white coating on your holly bush leaves, youre likely dealing with powdery mildew—a common fungal disease that affects many ornamental plants. While its mostly cosmetic, it can weaken plants if

Kumquat Recovery from Overwatering and Spider Mites: Pruning, Light, and Fertilizer Details

The Journey Kumquat (Fortunella label) bought summer, flourished, then overwatered in bag‑covered pot, got spider mites. Owner dried it, removed bag/top soil, cut dead branches, stabilized. Expert Detailed Advice Roots

Cleveland Pear Trunk Damage: Borers or Disease?

12 Pears Planted, 4 Have Narrow Trunks with Deep Trenching Illinois. 8 trees thriving, 4 have trunks eaten to near core. Owner applied spray coating for limb removal. Asks if trench is fungus that kills. Answer Kathy co

Indoor Citrus Oily Leaves: Rust Mites or Aphids

The Case Seed‑grown orange/tangerine (since 2006) in SC: leaves developed sticky oily layer smelling like fruit. Husband says move out. Diagnosis Rust mites or aphids. Clean with soapy water; repeat. Or use insecticidal

Indoor Pine White Sticky Substance: Honeydew from Insects

The Problem Indoor pine had white sticky stuff on branches/needles years ago; homemade spray (water, soap, alcohol/peroxide) worked. Recipe lost. Expert ID Sticky stuff = honeydew (insect excrement). Commercial Safer In

Lemon Black Spots and Bug‑Bored Tangerines: Extension Help Needed

The Issues Lemon tree: big black/brown spots on rind only. Tangerines: bees, moths, bugs boring holes. Wants organic homemade spray. Guidance Several diseases cause lemon rind spots. Contact county Extension (every US

Yucca Leaf Spots with Honeydew in South Africa: Cercospora or Insects?

The Symptoms 5‑yr Yucca: brown spots on upper third leaves, sticky droplets on spots. Small spiders seen. Expert Suspicion Cercospora leaf spot (fungus). Check Google Images. Spiders likely incidental. Management Clea

Dracaena deremensis ‘Roehrsii’ Mid‑Leaf Browning: Nutrient, Light, or Fungus?

The Case 5‑ft Dracaena in penthouse, high light, no direct sun. Mature leaves brown at base, spreads. Tried watering changes, removing leaves—no stop. Cuttings show same. Reference Data Low fertility → weak color, narr

Hollow 100‑Year Pecan: Internal Decay, Manage for Safety

The Situation Fort Lauderdale pecan, 100+ ft, 100+ yrs. Arborist cut 8–12″ hollow limbs (60% hollow), removed 80‑ft right trunk. Final cut revealed 40% hollow core to base. Left trunk has minimal hollowing. Expert Verdi

Pecan Nuts Moldy or Shriveled: Water Stress, Not Disease

The Complaint Dallas pecans: mold inside or shriveled kernels. Tree sick? Cut down? Analysis Shrivel = water imbalance (too much/too little) during kernel fill. Mold likely secondary. Pecans cycle good/bad years. Soil

Navel Orange Trunk Blackening and Sap Flow: Scale, Bacteria, or Rot?

The History S. California navel, 2–3 years: rough black trunk, sap flow, bark sloughing. Upper branches clean. Owner waters little; rain minimal. Expert Theories Overwatering/rot (initially). Scale insect or bacteria i

Pin Oak Trunk Canker from Mechanical Injury: Replace Tree

The Damage 3‑year‑old pin oak: 12–18″ rust‑colored bark loss down to white wood. Assessment Physical abrasion opened wound → fungus/bacteria entry. No cure; tree will never be strong. Replace and protect new trunk.

Green Giant Arborvitae Tip Browning: Root Stress, Not Drought

The Follow‑Up Central NJ, 34 °F nights. Owner asked about dry leaf tips after watering advice. Expert Answer Tip browning on most of plant = root‑related (too wet or too dry). Leave tips; don’t trim.

Green Pepper Flower Drop and Wilt in South African Tunnels

The Crisis 12 tunnels, early harvest: flowers and small fruit drop, plants go limp. Diagnosis Steps Wilt → root/stem rot from prolonged wet soil. Check lower stem for decay. Sacrifice a plant: wash roots—should be crea

Large Bumpy Growths on Hickory: Phomopsis Galls or Crown Gall

The Find Hiking in mixed woods: tree with 3–9″ bumpy growths. Web suggests Phomopsis galls. Expert Input Phomopsis (fungus) can cause galls; also bacteria (crown gall) or insects. Lab exam of tissue needed for exact ID.

Sago Palm Crown Opening: Flower or Nutrient Issue?

The Observation 10‑year‑old sago: crown opening, orange “Mickey Mouse glove” structures inside, some fronds yellowing. Expert Thought Could be flower emergence (female cone). Yellowing may be nutrient imbalance. Send ph

Olive and Liquidambar Tip Dieback: Glassy‑Winged Sharpshooter?

The Report Fruitless olive and two large liquidambars in Redlands, CA: branch tips die, leaves turn black. Sharpshooters infest liquidambars locally. Expert Request Send photo of affected branch with leaves. Need tree s

Rubber Tree Dieback and White Root Disease: Fungus from Overwatering

The Problem Rubber tree dieback and white root disease. Advice Overwatering → fungus. Cut back water. Try Atomic Grow (organic) for white root disease.