Search Results

Spraying apple trees #860175

Asked February 29, 2024, 3:21 PM EST

What do I spray my apple trees with having a bug problem and also why are my apples so small.and also when is the best time to spray them.

Linn County Oregon

Backyard Peach Tree #860096

Asked February 28, 2024, 3:07 PM EST

I have a mature peach tree in my backyard of the house I purchased last year. We began occupying the house in June of last year, and the tree produced a lot of peaches (100-200) which we were able to enjoy during their ripened phase in August despite several succumbing to pests and deer. As spring approaches, I plan to prune this free extensively as It has a lot of overgrowth and lacks an open canopy that is recommended for this type of tree. I also plan to add a layer of mulch at the base. However, I am fearful that this tree is past it’s prime as the base of the trunk doesn’t appear to be in good shape (see picture) and at least two of the large, scaffolded limbs are plagued by gummosis. Unfortunately, the previous owner didn’t take care of it well and I am pretty certain to pruning has happened in at least a couple years. Any recommendations on how to best prune this tree, keep pests away, and increase its life span would be much appreciated.



Montgomery County Maryland

Discolored Red and Yellow Peppers #860095

Asked February 28, 2024, 2:54 PM EST

Any idea what is happening to my peppers? I don't understand why they are discoloring. I grew them from seeds in an indoor grow tent. I can't seem to find any information online and I've asked the Indoor Garden FB group I follow and no one knows. The white doesn't rub off. It's like they are getting bleached. I hope you can help.



Summit County Ohio

ants #860065

Asked February 28, 2024, 10:07 AM EST

When should I put down outside ant killer. I live in the Bowie / Mitchellville area. Thanks, ------ Donald

Prince George's County Maryland

I think I have Asian jumping worms #860042

Asked February 27, 2024, 8:05 PM EST

I'm pretty sure I have jumping worms ruining my soil. Can someone come and look and let me know for sure? Thank you.



Lake County Ohio

identify insect #860015

Asked February 27, 2024, 3:24 PM EST

I woud appreciate it if someone could identify this insect. Many of them have appeared on my front porch/front door in the last few days. See attached photo.



Dutchess County New York

Small Shrubs (boxwood?) #859988

Asked February 27, 2024, 10:58 AM EST

Hello! I would love your advice on what to do with these small shrubs. I don’t think they are boxwoods - but they sure look like it, so now I’m not sure. I planted them about 15 years ago. A couple of years ago I did some significant pruning to reduce their size slightly and increase air circulation. They’re in a spot that gets almost no direct sun. The white spots on the leaves are discoloration – they do not wipe off. They’ve been like this for 2 years so I don’t think it is a boxwood blight. Is there anything I can do to help them? Thanks very much!



Montgomery County Maryland

recommended trees for Boise metro area #859958

Asked February 26, 2024, 6:45 PM EST

Hello - first, I thank you for the times through the years you have helped me with garden issues.  

I moved into an older home last summer and there was no tree for shade in the front yard.  Because the yards in this 55+ community are small, I wanted to be sure my selection was appropriate for its potential growth and something fairly free of insect problems or tree diseases.  I asked if my community had a list of recommended trees.  They did not.  Now they are going ahead with my idea as some trees in here are causing potential issues or dying.

Can you offer suggestions for trees that would do well in small yards?  We have common areas that have spots where trees have been removed and the community would like to replace them.  Those areas are not as small as the yards but still must not lift up the paths or patios.  

Thank you for any guidance you might offer.

Sue Fillman




Ada County Idaho

Oak Borer Identification and Control #859918

Asked February 26, 2024, 1:49 PM EST

I had some limbs removed from my Red Oak tree by the Calhoun County Road Dept this month and when I was cutting up the large (12-18" dia) limbs, I found two borers deep in the wood with a clear bore path.

I took the attached pictures and have kept the worms/caterpillars in a jar , just in case.

I cannot determine what they exacly are by researching on the internet, but possibly something like "larvae of several species of clearwing moths (family Sesiidae)"?
https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7477.html#:~:text=Clearwing%20larvae%20are%201%20to,the%20base%20of%20the%20tree

I would like to know what they are an how to control them if possible.

https://www.solutionsstores.com/how-to-get-rid-of-tree-borers

Please give me any help you can, as I would like to make sure this 200+ year old oak and the 3 others I have in my yard live on.

Best regards,
Glenn Kowalske, P.E.

<personal data hidden>



Calhoun County Michigan

Koyamaki Japanese Umbrella Tree #859881

Asked February 26, 2024, 8:04 AM EST

I have a rare Koyamaki Tree approximately 30 feet high. It was growing in my yard when I moved in 1995. Very old. We love this rare tree, but branches are browning and dying. Barlett Tree Company could not identify. Hoping you have some insight for us.



Howard County Maryland

White powdery substance on succulant #859867

Asked February 25, 2024, 7:13 PM EST

What is the white powdery substance and what should I do about it? Will it spread to other plants? Is it harming this plant?



Washtenaw County Michigan

Mud hole #859858

Asked February 25, 2024, 5:16 PM EST

I had a beautiful lawn last year...now all the grass is gone and it's just mud. What caused this, some type of fungus or is some type of insect eating it? There are little tiny holes all over the lawn.

Josephine County Oregon

Apple tree cankers #859851

Asked February 25, 2024, 4:11 PM EST

Hello, I live on Kent Island. My apple tree has several dark lumpy spots on the branches and trunk. I am attaching pictures. Are these cankers? Does this indicate fungus? Do I need to treat my tree in some way? Thank you!



Queen Anne's County Maryland

Tree Issue #859817

Asked February 25, 2024, 8:53 AM EST

This maple is approx at least 30 yrs old. Looks wet but it is not. What is occurring and does it need treatment?



Frederick County Maryland

Hemlock infested with woolly adelgid #859807

Asked February 24, 2024, 8:26 PM EST

My 7 hemlock trees are infested with wooley adelgid. It is end February and I see white spots on the ends of the branches. (1) is a white spot the mother, the eggs or the mother on top of her eggs? (2) If a horticultural spray is applied in early March, will it be killing the mother or the eggs or both? (3) if the horticultural spray kills both the mother and her eggs, why is another spray application required at the end of June?

Montgomery County Maryland

Can you identify this bug? #859771

Asked February 24, 2024, 11:19 AM EST

I was sweeping my kids mess in the kitchen when I saw this crawling amongst the crumbs. I've seen one before but not many. I've just moved into this home a couple months ago. 



New London County Connecticut

Bug Identification #859728

Asked February 23, 2024, 2:41 PM EST

Hello. We are finding these tiny bugs in our house (February 23, 2024). I'm attaching 2 pictures. I found a bunch of them dead in bucket we keep in our closet but I also have found several alive and wandering in our bathroom and near our dog's food. Please help identify what these are so we can eradicate them. Can you advise us how to get rid of these?



Eaton County Michigan

Dead lawn - Axonopus compressus #859701

Asked February 23, 2024, 9:33 AM EST

Good morning - I’m visiting family in Mercedes, Texas, and my brother’s lawn has completely died. He hasn’t changed his watering or any other cultural practices. We see that the same is beginning to take place in the lawn across the street as well. The variety is Axonopus compressus. What could be causing this? Insect, virus, bacterium, fungus? We’re trying to figure out the best treatment going forward. Another variety of grass? Maybe a clover lawn? Thank you for your advice.

Hidalgo County Texas

Shore Pine fungus? #859691

Asked February 22, 2024, 11:29 PM EST

Hi there. I noticed a branch hanging off weird and looked closer to see this fungus looking stuff at the top of the tree and at the next two sections that branch out below. Thoughts on what it is and if I should do anything for the tree?



Multnomah County Oregon

Insect identification #859623

Asked February 22, 2024, 9:12 AM EST

This winged pest was found in our basement today (2-22-24). May we ask if you can identify it? Is it something for us to be concerned? Thanks, Dennis George

Franklin County Ohio

Bushes for Hedges #859620

Asked February 22, 2024, 8:30 AM EST

I would like to install a 10 foot long hedge in our backyard that would eventually grow to 4 or 5 feet high and would be dense enough to provide privacy. Can you recommend what type of bushes I could use for the hedge? Thank you

Wayne County Michigan

Timing and methodology for removing garden vegetable matter after harvest #859574

Asked February 21, 2024, 1:48 PM EST

Hi.  We have a decent sized home vegetable garden.  My wife and I have a question about timing and methodology of removal of vegetable matter after harvest.  We've been leaving everything until spring and then removing the plant matter (stems, leaves, past-their-prime vegetables, etc.) that is above ground and putting it the compost bin.  We typically just leave the roots in the ground, thinking they will compost and become part of the soil.  However, I was walking in the garden yesterday and noticing that a lot of the plant matter is kind of rotting and decaying, especially after the cold we had during the snow and ice a few weeks ago.  I started to worry that maybe our methodology is not so wise - maybe this will create a vector for fungus and other diseases to get in the soil.  We'd appreciate some gardening advice on best time to remove plant matter, as well as any advice on methodology, such as best practices and also whether to leave the old root systems in the soil permanently.  Finally, if the way we've done it might lead to introduction of fungus and disease, is there anything we need to do now to mitigate what we've done?  Thank you!!



Multnomah County Oregon

Rosemary bush problem #859570

Asked February 21, 2024, 1:30 PM EST

My rosemary bush is uniformly covered with white spots, but apparently NOT the powdery mold type. I’ve attached top and bottom views of a single leaf. Every leaf on the bush looks like this



Orange County North Carolina

rose bush leaf degradation #859568

Asked February 21, 2024, 12:53 PM EST

Hello, my rose bushes start the year vibrant and healthy. Mid -summer most of my leaves are look like Swiss cheese. By the end of summer the plants are nearly dead. 

 I've tried many different remedies to no avail.  Here are a couple of pictures of my problem.   Thanks. 



Oakland County Michigan

Bug identification #859560

Asked February 21, 2024, 12:32 PM EST

I have flying bugs in my pantry that I cannot eradicate or identify their nest.



Tolland County Connecticut