I am trying to determine if I need to dig this tree out or give it time. From what I can find, I think it has verticillium wilt. The tree is a Basswood/Linden planted 3 years ago by the builder. Trunk looks normal and I do not see any bugs. Leaves did not have anything on them that I could see just turned yellow, brown and fell off. Started on one side and mostly gone in a week. The first picture was a week ago. Tree was full of green leaves. A couple days later is the picture with yellow leaves and a few days later the first picture. The twigs do not seem brittle or snap off so it is still alive. The bottom had a large circle of dirt with some mulch with an open area around the trunk. I have removed all the mulch now. I have irrigation that waters every other day. Please let me know your thoughts.

What are mulch options ..mainly for moisture retention purpose,,,,?

We are new to South Dakota from northwest Minnesota. We live on the outskirts of Wall. The land around our house was once a horse pasture, clay. How can we make this soil better for vegetable and flower gardening?

Dear MG: One of my taunton yews is not vigorous. Before I remove it, my landscaper suggested I try a fertilizer. What fertilizer do you suggest? Thank you Marcia Kaufmann

The shrub seems healthy early in the year and was covered in blooms in the spring, but now (and also last year) the leaves have lots of light colored speckles, which on some leaves become darker brown and some have holes. On the underside of the leaves there are also tiny black speckles. Is this an insect infestation? Is it mostly unsightly, or is it going to kill the shrub eventually? (And, is there anything I can do about it?) I mostly garden organically...