Search Results

Boxwood blight #862162

Asked March 21, 2024, 1:34 PM EDT

Not certain what to do about boxwood blight, and how to figure out whether it is in my soil soil or if I just should remove the affected plants and replant? if soil contaminated, what plants could thrive in the soil? 2nd request



Howard County Maryland

Insect damage on Honeylocust tree #862157

Asked March 21, 2024, 1:06 PM EDT

Heavy snow damaged my 30 year old Honey locust tree.  During clean up, I noticed numerous small holes (1mm) along the large branches that broke,  see photos. 

Having an Arborist come over next week, 3.26.2024.



Adams County Colorado

plant for arbor #862153

Asked March 21, 2024, 12:47 PM EDT

I live in Silver Spring, MD and am looking for recommendations for ideally a flowering plant or just green that will be good to grow up and over my arbor? Hearty and easy to maintain. Thanks! JIm

Montgomery County Maryland

Leaves dying #862144

Asked March 21, 2024, 12:03 PM EDT

Good morning. I have four separate plants all along the south phasing fence that seem to be suffering in the last few weeks to month. All of them have had progressively drying and/or browning leaves. Then drop the leaves. Historically, aside from the azalea, the jasmine, Wygelia, and other plant have been robust. No other plants in my yard or suffering. It seems too long since the ice storm for it to have been from that. Thank you so much for your time. I love that I have the opportunity to ask you questions!



Multnomah County Oregon

Black currant pollination and fruit set #862135

Asked March 21, 2024, 10:23 AM EDT

We are wanting to establish some black currant plants, on our rebuild site after the Holiday Farm Fire in Blue River. We understand that most black currant varieties are self-fertile but benefit from cross-fertilization. Is this correct?, If true, is the difference in fruit set substantial enough to warrant planting more than one variety? Which varieties make good pollination pairs. We also understand that Ribes odoratum and Ribes nigrum are not interfertile, but are there advantages in planting both? We currently just have a Ribes odoratum 'crandal' and would like to know how to maximize fruit set. On a related topic, we have a single Ribes rubrum 'cherrry red' and would like to know if there is a good pollination pair variety. Thank you!

Lane County Oregon

Red Buckeye Disease #862116

Asked March 20, 2024, 8:16 PM EDT

Hello, I planted a small Aesculus pavia last year, and the first leaves this spring have irregular brown chunks missing sometimes causing the entire stem to discolor and fall off (please see attached picture). Is this a leaf spot disease or something else, and how should I treat it? Thanks!



Fort Bend County Texas

Pieris diseases in Lane County OR #862110

Asked March 20, 2024, 6:57 PM EDT

I live in Oakridge around 1,100 ft in elevation. I hope you can identify a disease that is killing my Pieris. My question is whether I can save the plant, will this affect the plants close by and is the soil diseased as well. What action should I take? I noticed some black coloring on my 8 year old Pieris last Sommer and thought nothing of it. The attached photos show how bad the plant looks now. There is black coloring black coloring fungus/moss on the bark, primarily at the ground level. There is black fungus/moss on the underside of the leaves. It also has white spots on all the branches.



Lane County Oregon

Indoor Orange Tree Issue #862108

Asked March 20, 2024, 5:41 PM EDT

I have an issue with a potted Valencia orange tree that we keep indoors during the colder times of the year and bring outside when possible. Attached are a few images depicting the problem. I have unsuccessfully attempted to eradicate the problem with Safer Garden Insect Control. I have also searched the internet for identification and possible solutions without success. Do you have any recommendations. Thank you.



Klamath County Oregon

Soil Testing #862049

Asked March 20, 2024, 12:26 PM EDT

I have created several flower beds in my yard and find that the soil is clayish. Depending on plants I'm trying to grow, I have, therefore, added various ingredients (i.e., compost, perlite, lime, aluminum sulfate) in hopes of enriching the soil so my plants will live and return the following year. I do not use herbicides and insect sprays. Only 2 of 4 hydrangeas appear to be returning and only a third of the coral bells in my most recently created bed appear to have life. The potted perennials seem to fare better, as those always begin with fresh organic soil. I would like to get my garden soil tested and need your instruction on how to get that done. Aside from considering soil drainage requirements, I also need advice on mixing various perennials in one bed.

Prince George's County Maryland

Fruit tree infection? #862027

Asked March 20, 2024, 10:37 AM EDT

Hello, My peach trees were infested by a worm last year & have visible sores. Will send pics. My cherry tree have had issues last couple of years with bark showing a fungus maybe? Also sending pics. Can they be treated? I prefer organic. Had planned to spray peaches last year with kaolin clay but missed that window. They were already too big.



Berrien County Michigan

Bed bug or roach nymph or something else? #862000

Asked March 19, 2024, 11:08 PM EDT

I found this bug crawling on my jacket that I had taken from the house to the car. We recently had a pipe burst (clean water) on 3/16 and have equipment (fans, dehumidifier) in our home. These are pictures after I killed the bug. It was so tiny that I almost missed it. I’m hoping you can make out something as I no longer have the specimen. It was weird because the insect almost looked clear/white against my jacket until I killed it. I can’t recall whether it had wings or not. I have more pictures but was only able to upload three; I can send me more via email. Also, I noticed my skin had been quite itchy the past day and not sure if it’s related. Thank you



Prince George's County Maryland

How to correctly prune/“limb up” mature evergreen tree #861977

Asked March 19, 2024, 4:38 PM EDT

Hello . Please see attached photos. It is our intent is to remove the lower limbs of this mature evergreen tree to improve visibility of the house and eliminate potential security risk associated with heavy screening of entry area. a) Will the tree tolerate heavy pruning/removal of lower branches to a height of 4 to 6 or even as high as 8 feet above the ground level? b) Are there any potential adverse effects we should be aware of? c) Are there any recommendations or “best practices” you would suggest in association with a major pruning of lower limbs as proposed? Thank you in advance for any guidance or helpful information you might provide.



Franklin County Ohio

Aster yellows? #861965

Asked March 19, 2024, 3:23 PM EDT

I believe our ornamental garden plants have been hit with aster yellows. So I have removed (thrown away) all plants--flowers like coneflowers, annuals and a rosemary plant. So...if in fact it was aster yellows: 1) Can I replant there, since it's not a soil-based disease/problem. 2) I have clumping bamboo in this flower garden plot--I cannot find if it, too, might be carrying aster yellows and should be removed as well. Thanks!

Clackamas County Oregon

Fertilizing established trees and shrubs #861953

Asked March 19, 2024, 2:21 PM EDT

Hello, My HOA fertilizes all community shrubs every year without a soil test. The plants appear fine. The trees and shrubs were planted almost 10 years ago. I understand that established trees and shrubs do not fertilizer unless they exhibit signs of nutrient deficiency and/or a soil test indicates a deficiency. Is this correct?

Anne Arundel County Maryland

Wooley Adelgig #861948

Asked March 19, 2024, 1:49 PM EDT

I live 5 miles from the Lake Michigan Shoreline in the Sleeping Bear Dunes area. I live in an area with a healthy Hemlock forested woodland. WA is spreading up the coastline. I have serious concerns about a Mountain Biking Sport Park that has developed across the road from my property and would like to know what the risk of 1000's of visitors from all areas with mountain bikes, trailers, vans, campers, etc, might pose to spreading the Woolley Adelgig to my forest. I've read studies that show Mt. Bikers easily spread invasive species. Do you have a study that I can investigate? I would like to head this off before an infection occurs.

Leelanau County Michigan

Dendrobium orchid abnormality #861937

Asked March 19, 2024, 12:05 PM EDT

My beautiful pink dendrobium has two separate stems in full bloom. On one stem is an abnormal flower that has an unusual center and missing petals. On the other stem it has one flower missing one lower flower (not pictured). Is this rare? Or could it be of interest genetically to orchid specialists?



Carver County Minnesota

Forest Pansy - How Best to Prune - Slowly Dying? #861925

Asked March 19, 2024, 10:59 AM EDT

Hello, Thank you so much for offering this service! We have a Forest Pansy/Redbud tree that we planted perhaps 17 years ago. It's matured and grown nicely, but seems to be "slowly" dying away. It's beautiful, we love it, and want to do all we can to preserve it. If you can help, that would be fantastic. Within the last few years I've cut off a couple major limbs as they had no leaves and the end branches were dry and somewhat brittle. The remaining canopy has had a thinner covering of leaves in the past few years. We have some volunteer growth now at the base of the tree, which would make me think there are some healthy roots somewhere. But, what to do? Should I cut off the lowest, large limb that is reaching over the neighbors property? Our house is the cream/yellow covered house. Should I cut the "volunteer" limb growth from the base of the tree? Should I thin out the outer limbs on all the branches? In addition to what to trim, am I correct that this is a good time to trim/prune? Would you recommend any other care? Particular nutrients, watering schedule, etc.? I'll be glad to provide any additional information you feel would be helpful, and thank you again for entertaining my question!



Summit County Ohio

White Pine stand of trees falling on/near my house #861912

Asked March 19, 2024, 10:03 AM EDT

My house is on a hill in a stand of white pines that are at least 50 years old. Most have been affected by an insect when they were young that caused them to split their trunks into two or three trunks. In recent high wind storms (Jan 2024), these trees have started to fall, some quite close to our house and one that fell on the house. I am worried that more trees might fall and, since they are about 80 feet tall, others could fall on the house. 1) Is there something we can do to preserve these trees, and protect them from falling? 2) Should I take the trees closest to the house down? 3) If I take trees down, what should I put in their place? If there is someone you recommend that could look at these trees and help us decide what to do, please let me know.

Chittenden County Vermont

Lacebugs on Rhododendron #861864

Asked March 18, 2024, 5:13 PM EDT

How do I get rid of Lacebug on my Rhododendrons? I think it would involve a chemical spray but I don't know which one is most effective, how long before they start to work, etc. Also, do the affected leaves heal or just new leaves? Thank you!

Multnomah County Oregon

Boxwood shrub with browning #861854

Asked March 18, 2024, 4:02 PM EDT

I have a boxwood shrub with a section that is turning brown near the front of my house. Is there any treatment or pruning that can be done to save the shrub. There was similar boxwood shrub nearby which began to turn brown. We tried to prune the affected area but eventually the browning spread and we had to remove the entire shrub. Thanks! P.S. Unfortunately, I have not been able to include a photo.

Montgomery County Maryland

Are these bugs sewer mites or what are they? #861819

Asked March 18, 2024, 12:07 PM EDT

I have been seeing quite a few of these little flying insects, which seem to come up through the drain in my bathroom sink. For several months there has been a sewer odor and I see these insects come out of the drain when I don't have it completely plugged. I am unsure what to do but these insects are persistent and annoying.



Hennepin County Minnesota

What is happening to my yard #861814

Asked March 18, 2024, 11:56 AM EDT

I have mounds that look like piles of cow droppings all over my yard. I live on an inland lake and I have never had this issue before. They mounds do not have holes in them like from skunks or moles normally. Can you tell me what is creating these mounds and what i should do to prevent them. or how to fix them even.



Cheboygan County Michigan

Leaf Damage #861799

Asked March 18, 2024, 9:58 AM EDT

Something appears to be eating my Ilex opaca. This damage is from last year. The leaves throughout the entire trees have these cutouts. The overall tree seems healthy. Any ideas what and how I might tackle this? I live in south AA County.



Anne Arundel County Maryland

Replacing trees #861797

Asked March 18, 2024, 9:41 AM EDT

What are local resources and process for removal of a large amount of pines and replacement with native fruit and flowering plants, to include trees?

Anne Arundel County Maryland

What to do with an individual wasp in cold winter to save it #861788

Asked March 18, 2024, 6:18 AM EDT

Hello, I found a wasp in the garage yesterday, crawling on the ground. It tried to move but she was almost right before turning her belly to the sky. I took her inside a transparent box and put some honeywater in, thinking it would die soon regardless. She drank the water and after 30 minutes it was like she was never sick. She even tried to fly. I googled up on how to save a wasp but the posts were all for bees, and wasps are considered the ones to be killed. I learned that I shouldn't give bees market bought honey because it can spread pathogen to them, and that they can eat fruits. Assuming that there will be some similaries between bees and wasps, I put a slice of an apple and sugar water in the box. I put a towel on top of the box so it's dark and she gets some rest. These happened yesterday and I was planning to let her go today afternoon in the sun, as she is all healthy and were excited to smell the air outside through the hole(flying around fast). But I am in Canada and snow/hail started falling down 10 seconds before I let her go. The sun never came out and the wind was at 50km/hr so I took her in again. She is resting in the corner of the box all night and I don't know what to feed her or when to let her go. I feel like she is going to die in few hours if I let her out in the cold. I heard queen bees can survive the weather but knowing that she was almost dying in the weather might mean she is just a worker bee and will die if let out. I am afraid of letting her go, but at the same time I'm afraid to keep her inside that might also make her die. I feel like she needs fresh air to survive and don't need to take a rest inside this long. For this week it will be all cloudy and windy with some snowing, with no direct sunshine. The picture and the video were taken yesterday after she looked like she's back in the healthy state after drinking some honeywater. What should I do with her? Thank you.



Columbia County Oregon