Question
i noticed a bud or two with a hole in the end and hollowed out, as if by a bug, as I was spraying dormant oil on shrub, (october 19, 2006) do you know what this may be?  thanks

Answer
Marie,

It sounds like the bud wasattacked bya bud borer. The only treatment for this pest is to spray the shrub with a systemic insecticide. I would recommend Orthene. The label will have the proper timing for the spray.

Good luck.
Ed Gulliksen