Search Results

Brooks plum question- disease? #858953

Asked February 12, 2024, 12:17 AM EST

Hello! I have a Brooks plum that I planted 3 winters ago that I just discovered has jelly like substance coming out the base of the trunk. There appear to be some insect holes in places, the bark is split in the main trunk and some smaller branches, and I can see some saw dust from the holes in various places. Trying to decide what to do- take the tree out? Let it keep going and see what happens. If you have an idea of what may be causing this or advice for what I should do- please let me know! I’ve attached some photos.



Lane County Oregon

Boxwood problem #858937

Asked February 11, 2024, 2:57 PM EST

Attached are photos of several boxwoods that have a problem. Other boxwoods in the yard (some adjacent to one of the "sick" boxwood) look healthy and fine. Leaves are turning reddish. Underside is more natural in color. One boxwood gets good sun, other is in shade.



Montgomery County Maryland

Large black and white insect #858930

Asked February 11, 2024, 1:41 PM EST

Saw this insect at rhe arboretum in Traverse City last year. Can you please identify it?



Grand Traverse County Michigan

Installing Soft Landings #858928

Asked February 11, 2024, 1:34 PM EST

I'm interested in installing soft landings under several existing mature deciduous trees in our Anoka County yard. We also are adding around 40 additional trees this spring. I've seen information that indicates that soft landings are best under keystone trees (like white oak) but also that they're beneficial under native trees. My questions are as follows: * Are there major ecological benefits/Should I install a soft landing under spruce trees? (Norway, White, Colorado) * Are there major ecological benefits/Should I install a soft landing under red and sugar maples? * Are there major ecological benefits/Should I install a soft landing under hackberry? * Are there major ecological benefits/Should I install a soft landing under crabapples? * For new, bare-root tree plantings, how do I determine how big to make the soft landing now? (Reference material I read indicated that it's best to install the soft landing at the time of planting to avoid damaging roots later on.) Do I start with a smaller region and possibly add to the soft landing as the tree matures (or allow the tree to do this itself) or is there some other approach to calculate and install an appropriate sized soft landing for a bare root planting? Thank you!

Anoka County Minnesota

Grubs invading yard #858922

Asked February 11, 2024, 10:20 AM EST

Hi - Could you please help identify this type of grub? We have them on top of our grass and under the lawn as well. They’re attracting birds, voles, and our dogs. Hopefully with identification, we can figure out how to get rid of them. Thank you in advance.



Grand Traverse County Michigan

Apple tree issue? #858903

Asked February 10, 2024, 4:48 PM EST

Hi. This young apple tree's trunk has me concerned. Would you take a look and see what might be happening? The tree is 4-5 years old. It was smashed in its first year by another falling tree but has seemed fine since then. Thanks!



Lane County Oregon

Advice for winter/spring care of pollinator garden #858881

Asked February 10, 2024, 1:32 PM EST

Hello, Last spring, after having a new retaining wall constructed, we sowed several packets of perennial mixed wildflowers/pollinator-friendly seeds. They grew very well last spring/summer. When fall and winter came, we did nothing--just left the dead plants as they were. I am writing to ask for advice as to how to proceed when spring comes in a couple of months, for best results. There is a lot of dead plant matter there that is currently over-wintering. I am thinking that mowing it may be the best way to cut it down to size, but am not sure--thoughts? I also am not sure when is the best time to do that (or something else, whatever is best). I was thinking early May or so, but am not sure how to hit the 'sweet spot' of leaving the dead stuff there long enough but getting rid of it before it is in the way of the new stuff coming up. Thank you!

Ramsey County Minnesota

Raised beds #858815

Asked February 09, 2024, 12:52 PM EST

Is juniper suitable for building raised beds to use for growing vegetables and flowers? Is there any way to prevent rot of raised beds made of cedar. Thanks.

Deschutes County Oregon

Midwinter Fire Dogwood Shrub #858813

Asked February 09, 2024, 12:34 PM EST

Hello, I have 6 "Midwinter Fire" Dogwood Shrubs (cornus sanguinea). They are 10 years old; 5 shrubs are in a grouping and the 1 shrub in question is approximately 45 feet away from the others. I trim the shrubs to half-height every August when they get huge, then I trim to about 2' tall every late March. The shrubs also get new hardwood mulch every Spring. Sometime in the Summer months of 2023, while the shrubs were still covered in green leaves, this one shrub developed the white substance (in photos) near the base of some twigs. I've seen the white stuff before in small amounts on short-trimmed stems that are dying, and it has never spread and I just remove the dead stems. This was an unusual time of year to see it, plus it appeared on otherwise healthy stems. I thought it might be mold from wet weather, but too many weeks passed. Then I thought the Winter might kill off whatever it is, but no such luck. As far as I can tell, the while substance has neither increased or decreased since it first showed up. Do you know what this is, and how I should treat it? Thank you so much for your time!



Baltimore County Maryland

Is this a wasp? #858809

Asked February 09, 2024, 11:10 AM EST

I found this insect in the window screen of my garage. It is the biggest one I have ever seen. Is it a wasp? Or a yellowjacket?



Lenawee County Michigan

invasive bug ? #858805

Asked February 09, 2024, 10:48 AM EST

Found this bug in my basement last fall after moving firewood into the house. it appeared to mostly die off within 24 hours. Recently I found one pictured on the end of a pice of silver maple. Can you help me identify and tell me what it likes to feed on? Do I need to take steps so that it does not invade our dream house? the bugs average about a half inch in length



Chittenden County Vermont

Sweet bay magnolia and camelia issue #858803

Asked February 09, 2024, 10:21 AM EST

I have two issues. In the picture there are 3 sb magnolia leaves. The leaves are beginning to droop and curl or have curled already. Small insect issue on the smallest leaf. The other leaf is the camelia. I have 4 and all are doing great except for this one. Everything was planted 2 summers ago.



Harford County Maryland

Is this "Boxwood Blight" #858796

Asked February 09, 2024, 9:22 AM EST

I have five Boxwoods lined in a formal row in my front-yard landscaping. Prospered for 8 years, but beginning spring 2023, one year ago, die-back started in the spring and continued slowly throughout the year into the fall. These are photos from this spring. Is this treatable "blight" or something else?



Harford County Maryland

Rolly Polly Bugs #858779

Asked February 08, 2024, 7:01 PM EST

I am trying to do some type of insect farm with my first grade team as a teacher. We have butterfly's, praying mantis, and lady bugs already taken. I was going to do ants, but recently discovered that you can nothave them shipped into Oregon, even for a children's farm. I then found a roly poly farm. However I cannot find any information about those being restricted for shipping into Oregon. Do you happen to know this information?

Marion County Oregon

resistance to bacterial blight #858763

Asked February 08, 2024, 3:19 PM EST

Suddenly last October I lost five mature lilac bushes to bacterial blight even with much careful pruning and spraying. What can I plant in their place that is unlikely to be effected by bacterial blight.?

Sussex County Delaware

Information regarding leafhoppers #858760

Asked February 08, 2024, 2:58 PM EST

Hello, I have a student doing work on leafhoppers and how they spread diseases -- I wanted to see if there was anyone who knows more about this insect and can share information about it.

Delaware County Ohio

Dormant Spray #858721

Asked February 07, 2024, 6:27 PM EST

Please advise as to when to use dormant spray on fruit trees, Plum , Peach and Cherry trees.

Bay County Michigan

Modern Apple Orchard Spraying #858711

Asked February 07, 2024, 3:50 PM EST

What does a modern apple spraying program look like? I have a small orchard of half a dozen highly productive 12 year old apple trees and several Asian pear trees. They are located in a field adjacent to a large forested area. I find to produce a usable, but not cosmetically perfect, crop I need to spray 7 or 8 times at two week intervals following petal drop. Damage seems to be caused by a combination of Plum Curculio, plant bugs, and stink bugs. I have found Spinosad ineffective as part of the spraying program, as I suspect it degrades before the next spraying and insects just move in from the surrounding forest. My most effective spray program has consisted of alternating 4 sprays of an Acetamiprid-based spray (Ortho Flower, Fruit & Vegetable spray ) with 2 sprays of a malathion-based spray and one or two sprays of a Lambda-cyhalothrin-based spray (Fruit Tree & Plant Guard Concentrate (Bonide)). My problem is that Acetamiprid-based sprays appear to be no longer available in small quantities for small orchard use. I use about 8 gallons of diluted spray each time for the 8 trees. So, since malathion is limited to 2 sprays per season, what can I alternate it with that will give me insect control in this situation over an a 7 or 8 spray season at 14 day intervals?

Harford County Maryland

Need to identify a pest maybe mites #858684

Asked February 07, 2024, 12:01 PM EST

Hello


Can I take a sample to the extension service in my area and find out what kind of bug infestation I am having?


thanks,
Lynda

Delta County Colorado

Tree Girdling Treatment #858625

Asked February 06, 2024, 1:15 PM EST

An animal, possibly deer, are girdling the bark on trees that are from 1 to 5 years old. Please advise on how to treat and care for them. Tim Lange

Douglas County Oregon

What is this bug? #858612

Asked February 06, 2024, 10:53 AM EST

I have been suspecting bed bugs since this fall but found no trace of them or their droppings around my bed, on the mattress or box spring, etc. I finally set out some simple glue traps around my bed and they've remained empty this week. But this morning I found this bug IN MY EAR. My husband doesn't think it's a bed bug because it's not red or particularly flattish. It's black and looks more like a beetle. But it's miniscule and I found it in my bed. The photos are not great but the best I could do. I have the bug in a plastic sandwich bag, is there anywhere I could bring it for ID? Thank you.



Ramsey County Minnesota

Pruning oak tree #858602

Asked February 06, 2024, 8:31 AM EST

Hello, I have heard that oak trees should only be pruned during Jan/Feb after prolonged freezing. With the warmer Mn winter, can I still prune my oak tree?

Olmsted County Minnesota

Doug fir tree question #858587

Asked February 05, 2024, 6:49 PM EST

Hi We have a Doug fir that I noticed bark coming off quite easily. I see some type of bug or fungus looking thing under the bark and not certain what it is. I’ve included pix. Thx!



Washington County Oregon

Fruit tree pest management (mites?) #858530

Asked February 05, 2024, 11:29 AM EST

We have a large, mature apple tree that I'm pretty sure has had some spider mites (and/or rust mites) on it the last couple of years: some leaves curled and webbed, plus some rust-colored spot on some leaves. But it's not infested, so it still produces lots of good apples (though some do get wormy later in the harvest season). We haven't bothered to treat the tree, as it still produces more than enough good apples and generally looks very healthy (most of the leaves aren't affected by the mites). However, last year, a new (2nd year) cherry tree (that was close to the apple tree) died just after it had started producing its leaves and flowers, and it looked like it was probably killed by spider mites (and/or rust mites). Is there an effective, non-toxic/organic (IPM) way for us to treat our young cherry trees (in winter and/or in spring/summer), to keep the mites off of them? I'm planning to re-plant a new cherry tree soon, but I'm thinking I should not plant it close to the apple tree this year. Thanks!

Benton County Oregon

bugs and bees - Boxelder and ground bees #858527

Asked February 05, 2024, 11:06 AM EST

Good morning, We've noticed an increase in boxelder bugs (we have a nice white house with great sun exposure) over the past 2-3 years. We've tried to keep leaves away from the house so they have fewer places to nest. However, it seems like they come back in greater numbers each year. Our neighbors do have a nice leaf compost pile right beside our driveway. Perhaps that is a source of nesting? We're wondering if you have suggestions for long-term control? We've used flying insect spray but that just targets the ones on the outside of the house. They continue to reappear and we usually have 1-2 inside the house on most days in random areas. We've tried to identify where they are entering, but would really love to get rid of them on the outside to prevent their entry into the house. We contacted an exterminator but it felt like they'd just do the same thing...spray those that are outside (as well as any other insect). We don't want to keep all bugs/spiders, just help control the boxelder population. Do you have suggestions for treatment and prevention? Also, we have a nest of ground bees (not carpenter bees...not as big or with black bottoms). How should we treat them? They're right by our driveway and make it hard to play outside for fear of being stung.



Franklin County Ohio