Sand Cherry Borer, Viburnum Scale, Mock Orange Scale: Treatment Plan

Sand Cherry Death Reddish slime on trunk, red wood inside = peach tree borer (attacks Prunus). Replacing with mock orange (not Prunus) avoids recurrence. No soil treatment needed. Viburnum & Mock Orange White Spots Whit

Training Tree-Form Oleander: Aesthetic Pruning

Shaping a 5-ft Standard Trunk 3.5 ft, canopy 1.5 ft. To create rounded canopy: Watch for branches outgrowing others. Use reduction pruning: cut back to lateral bud/branch. Rely on your eye for balance. No Fixed Formul

Killing Rose of Sharon Roots Safely: Round-Up Method

Safe Eradication Allow regrowth (few inches). Spray foliage with Round-Up (glyphosate). Herbicide translocates to roots, kills entire plant. Safe for kids/pets once absorbed (dry). Why Not Stump Treatment Foliar spray

Holly Leaf Spot: Fungicide Too Late Now, Plan for Spring

Why Fungicide Failed Black/yellow leaves with spots = leaf spot. Once spots visible, fungus has finished damage. Spraying now does nothing. Correct Timing Fertilize this spring for new growth. Next spring: spray fungic

Rhododendron Rejuvenation Pruning: Staged or Drastic

Two Approaches Staged (safer): Cut longest branches this fall, more next fall. Avoids shock. Drastic (late fall/winter): Cut hard to 12–18 inches. Slow regrowth (years). Key Point Healthy large rhododendrons tolerate

Meyer Lemon Brown Leaf Tips: Watering, Blight, or Fertilizer

Possible Causes Overwatering (roots drown) Underwatering (roots go dormant) Fungal blight/leaf spot Correct Watering Potted: water when top 2 inches dry. In-ground: 30–45 min slow trickle. Treatment Registered fun

Rose of Sharon Bark Splitting: Research Needed

Problem Vertical bark splits at base on 2-inch trunks → water entry → rot → section death over 1–2 years. No mechanical damage, wind, or pests evident. Status Uncommon issue. Expert consultation initiated (Cornell Coope

Moving Large Holly Bushes: Tree Spade Best, DIY Possible

Best Method Hire tree spade service—digs 90% roots, moves 500+ lb balls. Company warrants survival. DIY Alternative Dig root ball to dripline. Pre-dig new holes. Use Tree Saver in holes. Water religiously first year.

Oleander Aphids: Malathion Worked, Now Fertilize Recovery

What Happened Yellow sand on buds/leaves = aphids. Malathion killed them (black residue = dead bodies). Bodies will weather off. Next Step Fertilize with low-nitrogen formula to speed recovery.

Meyer Lemon Leaf Loss in Florida: Fertilize Regularly

Cause 2-year-old tree with fruit but no leaves = nutrient depletion. Sandy FL soil + fruiting demand = starvation. Fix Start regular citrus fertilizing program. Reference: Kathy Millers Meyer Lemon Guide

Deodar Cedar Tip Blight: Fertilize and Fungicide

Diagnosis New growth yellowing/drying on lower 70% of young Deodar cedar = tip blight or canker. Treatment Apply balanced fertilizer. Spray cedar-labeled fungicide. Source Available at local nursery/garden center.

Arborvitae Planting: Mulch Volcanoes Kill, Watering Schedule

Mulch Error Mulch against trunk causes crown rot. Must be 2–3 inches thick, pulled back 3–6 inches from trunk. Watering Schedule Water only when needed: if no rain forecast for 2 days, soak 15–20 min with soaker hose. N

Rose of Sharon Hedge: Wood Rot Fungus on One Plant

Diagnosis Orange pencil-tip dots on bark of dead plant = fruiting bodies of wood rot fungus. Likely present in adjacent plants but not yet visible. Action Remove dead plant. Fertilize remaining hedge to boost health. H

Birch Tree Top Death: Bronze Birch Borer Emergency

Diagnosis One trunk of three dying top-down = Bronze Birch Borer. Other trunks likely infested too. Immediate Actions Remove dead trunk. Hire tree company for systemic insecticide micro-injection. Why Not Remove Whol

Lilac and Burning Bush Pests: Scale, Spittlebug, Mites

Lilac Issues Scale + spittlebug (white foam). Treat now with general insecticide. Fall: horticultural oil for scale. Burning Bush Issue Spider mites causing leaf curl. Spray miticide now. Both Heavy fall fertilizin

Japanese Maple Freeze Damage: Spring and Fall Fertilizing

Recovery Plan After 21°F freeze killed new leaves, tree refoliated but looks poor. Fertilize now (spring) with spikes or granular. Fertilize again in fall. Water consistently. Why Spikes Slow-release spikes feed gradu

Tree-Form Althea Leaning: Stake to Strengthen Trunk

Cause Rapid elongation growth without stem thickening = weak branches bending at 45°. New asphalt driveway 20 ft away unlikely cause. Fix Drive stake behind plant. Tie high on trunk to pull upright. Leave until stems t

Blue Hydrangeas Not Blooming: Root Pruning to Shift Energy

Why Leaves But No Flowers Excess vegetative growth from high nitrogen or ideal conditions suppresses flowering. Technique: Root Pruning Cut a semicircle 12–18 inches from base, 10–12 inches deep with sharp spade. This

Stunted Apple Trees in Canada: Need On-Site Evaluation

Three-Year-Old Apple Trees Not Growing in New Brunswick Two apple trees planted three years ago in Moncton, NB, show minimal growth. Owner seeks pruning and fertilizer advice. Multiple Potential Causes Require Professio

Endless Summer Hydrangea Failure After Fall Pruning

Why Your Hydrangea Didnt Return After Hard Pruning A large Endless Summer hydrangea, planted late summer, was cut back hard last fall. This spring, it migrated upwards (likely meaning crown growth only at base?) and show