Holly and Camellia White Underside Coating: Cottony Cushion Scale

Shady coastal NE Florida yard: holly and camellia have white powdery/webby substance on leaf undersides, leaves drop when covered. Likely cottony cushion scale (Icerya purchasi). Treatment Horticultural oil or insectic

Pear Tree Orange Leaf Spots: Pear Rust

Wall-trained pears have bright orange circular spots on leaves with raised pointed clusters on undersides—pear rust (Gymnosporangium sabinae), a fungal disease alternating between pear and juniper/cedar. Management Rem

Bamboo Yellowing in Florida: Water or Identity Issue

5-ft African bamboo stalk (gift, planted April) grew well, then leaves yellow/brown/fall in fall. Tampa, Zone 9. Clarification Needed True bamboo: Clumping vs. running; needs ample water in heat. Lucky bamboo (Dracaena

Large Leaning Pin Oak Near House: Get Certified Arborist

After a 100-ft linden fell on house, homeowner worries about 50+ year pin oak 15–20 ft away with lean and heavy limbs over house. Tree man suggests limb removal to rebalance. Recommendation Hire a certified arborist (IS

Dark Bugs on White Birch: Need Photo for ID

Clustered dark bugs on birch branch tips with foul odor when disturbed. Could be aphids, stink bugs, or birch catkin feeders. Next Step Send clear close-up photo (review focus on computer) for identification. Extension

Redbud Bark Shedding at Base: Check for Damage

10-year-old redbud shedding bark at base. Could be insect/disease activity or mechanical injury. Inspection Scratch area: look for sawdust (borers) or ooze (canker). Check for string trimmer/mower damage (common killer

Fall Webworms in Trees: Cosmetic, Manageable

White webs on tree branches with black specks (frass) inside and yellowing leaves—fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea). Management Prune out webs if reachable. Otherwise ignore—rarely harms tree health. Rake/destroy fallen

White Powdery Sticky Substance on Tree Branches: Aphids or Scale

Unknown tree (possibly weeping mulberry) has white powdery substance on branches that rubs off sticky. Likely aphids or scale insects producing honeydew. Identification Snip affected twig → local nursery for ID (insect

Eugenia Hedge Leaf Browning: Environmental Stress

Syzygium paniculatum (Eugenia) hedge, 6 months old, shows brown leaf centers progressing outward after psyllid control. New growth at tips and near damage. Diagnosis Likely environmental (drought, heat, root issue) not

Moss on Tree Stumps and Branches: Dry It Out

Moss on tree stump and branches indicates consistently moist surfaces. Moss doesnt harm trees but signals shade/dampness. Management Increase light/airflow: Prune canopy, remove nearby vegetation. Physical removal: Scr

Orangedog Caterpillars on Lemon Tree: Hand-Pick or Bt

Large, ugly worms on lemon leaves in Mobile, AL with forked red tongue (osmeterium) when poked—orangedog caterpillars (Papilio cresphontes larvae), immature giant swallowtail butterflies. Control Hand-pick or shake off

Fungus Gnats on Indoor Impatiens: Cultural Control

New Guinea impatiens brought indoors developed soil mold, then tiny flying gnats (likely fungus gnats, not whiteflies). Larvae feed on fungi and roots in wet soil. Mold & Gnat Control Reduce watering—let top 1–2 inches

Cycad Scale on Potted Plants: Aggressive Management Needed

Two cycads in terracotta pots (2 years, morning sun) have brown leaf spots, sticky white marks, and tiny white woodlice at night—cycad scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui), a serious pest. Treatment Pressure wash to dislodge

Emerald Arborvitae Bronzing in New Jersey: Heat and Transplant Shock

20 newly planted (August) emerald arborvitae in Hammonton, NJ turned orangy from inside out after hot planting period with daily (sometimes 2×) watering. Diagnosis Environmental stress, not disease. Causes: Heat/drough

Crab Apple White Fluffy Growth: Scale or Powdery Mildew?

Old crab apple in UK has white fluffy growth on stumps and lower bark. Antifungal spray didnt help; spread slightly. Diagnosis Touch it: Moves = insect (woolly aphid or scale). Static = powdery mildew (fungus). Woolly

Orange Worms in Acorns: Weevil Larvae, Minimal Impact

Tiny orange worms in acorns are likely acorn weevil larvae (Curculio spp.). They feed on kernel, exit to pupate in soil. Impact Parasitic but minimal effect on tree health. Natural enemies (parasitoid wasps) usually re

Sago Palm Scale Control: Oil Sprays and Systemics

Sago palms (Cycas revoluta) drying up and dying likely from cycad scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui). Malathion and horticultural oil available at nurseries. Treatment Protocol Oil sprays first: Paraffinic/ultrafine horticu

Black Jack Fig Sudden Leaf Loss: Likely Dormancy

Black Jack fig in Palos Verdes, CA (planted June) grew well, set fruit, then all leaves withered by October 1. Cambium green under bark. Diagnosis Figs are deciduous—they drop leaves in fall/winter. Sudden loss in Octob

Old Crape Myrtle with Scale: Systemic Treatment Best

10–12 year old crape myrtle in Fort Worth blooms poorly, yellows early, and has tiny brown specks on bark that rub off—scale insects. Treatment Tree too tall for foliar spray. Use Bayer Advanced Tree & Shrub Insect Cont

Seed-Grown Lemon Tree Leaf Issues: Water and Pot Size

5-year-old seed-grown lemon (2+ ft) loses leaves in winter, shows brown leaf spots and curling. Owner reduced watering after suspected overwatering. Diagnosis Brown spots + curling + pale leaves = root stress (too wet