Christmas Palm Yellowing and Frond Drop: Lethal Yellowing?

20 Veitchia merrillii (Christmas palms) in St. Lucia show premature lower frond drop and yellow spotting despite heavy fertilization. Symptoms match lethal yellowing—a fatal phytoplasma disease. Lethal Yellowing Progres

Planting Bismarck Palm on Rocky Ridge in St. Lucia

Query about planting 1–2 year old Bismarckia nobilis on a rocky ridge (1 ft soil over rock) in full sun, St. Lucia. Bismarck palms reach 50–60 ft tall, 20 ft spread, with 10 ft leaves on 6 ft petioles. Concerns Root an

Crape Myrtle Sooty Mold: Treat the Insects, Not the Fungus

Mature crape myrtles with black sooty film on leaves and limbs have sooty mold—a fungus growing on honeydew from aphids or scale. The mold itself isnt the primary problem. Solution Control the insects → mold disappears.

Algae Control Questions: Expert Referral Needed

Student science project asks about algae herbicides, aquatic impacts, aquaculture safety, algae killers, and disease risks. This falls outside plant pathology expertise. Recommended Resources School/college biology dep

African Sumac Branch Dieback: Water or Structure Issue

Three-year-old African sumac (Rhus lancea) has one of four main trunks browning and losing leaves; others fine. Multi-trunk habit is problematic—should have single leader. Likely Causes Overwatering → root rot (check s

Ivy Dieback in Los Angeles: Heat, Drought, or Root Rot?

20-year-old ivy on a sunny walkway lost leaves while shaded ivy across driveway thrives. Hot spells, water rationing (2×/week), and possible root rot from overwatering in heavy soil. Diagnosis Sun-exposed ivy + restric

Citrus Trees Not Fruiting: Light, Pests, and Nutrition

Three citrus trees in Los Angeles underperform: lime drops fruitlets, Eureka lemon yields few fruit, Meyer lemon lost crop after deer browsing. All are 6 ft tall (dwarf rootstock?). Key Issues Lime: Shade reduces flowe

Indoor Jacaranda Leaf Drop and Sap Ooze: Heat Stress

Two young jacarandas indoors dropped leaves and oozed sap after central heating was left on. Causes: hot, dry air currents and light change from outdoor to indoor conditions. Care Adjustments Move away from heat vents/

Oak Leaf Blister: Cosmetic Fungal Disease

Pin oak in Florida panhandle has raised brown spots (up to 1/2) on leaf undersides, holes where spots were, and ragged edges. Diagnosed as oak leaf blister (Taphrina caerulescens)—a spring fungus favored by frequent rain

Transplanted Magnolia Leaf Drop in Fall: Normal or Not?

A 10-ft magnolia transplanted in March dropped leaves initially, recovered and flowered, but now (October) yellows and drops again. Some fall drop is normal, especially inner leaves. Assessment Scratch twigs: green und

Magnolia Scale: White Specks on Leaves and Stems

Magnolia in Florida panhandle has tiny white specks on leaf undersides, larger drops on tops and stems. This is magnolia scale (Neolecanium cornuparvum)—a common pest. Scale Impact Sucks sap, weakening tree. Excretes h

Indoor Yucca with Black Sap and Hollow Trunk: Overwatering

Indoor yucca in bright light shows yellowing leaves, leaf drop, and dark sap on a soft, hollow-feeling trunk. Classic overwatering leading to root/stem rot. Immediate Correction Water only when top 1/4–1/3 of soil is d

Yellowwood Tree with White Spots: Need Photo for ID

A 5-year-old yellowwood (Cladrastis) has distressed leaves (curled edges) and white scale-like spots on the trunk. Could be scale insects, lichen, or fungal fruiting bodies. Next Step Send a clear, close-up photo of the

Blue Plum Fruit Rot: Brown Rot Disease

A 15–20 year old blue plum sets fruit that shrivels, develops weeping spots, turns moldy, and drops. Classic brown rot (Monilinia spp.)—a common stone fruit fungus. Management Sanitation: Remove/destroy ALL fallen frui

Foxtail Palm Frond Tip Burn: Underwatering, Not Overwatering

Foxtail palms in Punta Gorda, FL show brown frond tips during rainy season. Contrary to intuition, this signals insufficient water reaching roots—not too much rain. Why Tips Burn Palms need consistently moist (not soggy

Honey Locust Without Seed Pods: No Cause for Alarm

Two 20+ year old honey locusts produced no seed pods this year. If trees look healthy otherwise, dont worry. Why It Happens Weather during flowering (late frost, rain, heat) disrupts pollination. Alternate bearing (hea

Aging Fruitless Mulberry in Decline: No Magic Cure

A 65–70 year old fruitless mulberry showing decay has reached the end of its natural lifespan. Decay is slow, progressive, and irreversible. Realistic Management Water deeply during hot/dry periods. Fertilize only per

New Bradford Pears Browning in Containers: Root Stress

Two Bradford pears in 20-gal pots show rapid leaf color change (brown, yellow, red) within 4 days of purchase. Likely root-related stress from container confinement. Immediate Care Water thoroughly until drainage, then

Foxtail Palm Trunk Splitting: Environmental, Not Disease

Three-year-old foxtail palms in Port Charlotte, FL show linear trunk splits and rough alligator skin bark at the base. Tops are green. Neighbors palms from same nursery are fine. Likely Causes Sunscald on young bark (s

Black Spots on Winterberry: Anthracnose or Scab

Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) with black spots on fruit and leaves likely has anthracnose or scab—fungal diseases favored by frequent overhead moisture (rain or irrigation). Disease Impact Usually cosmetic; doesnt kil