Search Results

is it too late to clean out my mason bee tubes and cocoons? #859208

Asked February 15, 2024, 2:03 PM EST

Hello! Life has been busy and I have yet to take my mason bee cocoons out of the tubes and clean them. It’s February 15 and I live in Portland next to the Beaverton border. Elevation 500’. Is it too late to clean them? When should I plan on putting them out? Thank you! Brianne

Multnomah County Oregon

Raised bed recharging #859193

Asked February 15, 2024, 11:54 AM EST

I left my raised beds alone in the fall. What should I do now to improve the soil before planting?

Montgomery County Maryland

Can you identify this insect? #859177

Asked February 14, 2024, 9:58 PM EST

About the size of pencil point; found on hard surfaces such as tractor cover, tractor seat, garage cement apron. House located in middle of 5 acres of woods.



Howard County Maryland

Pine tree dropping live 4-16" bows. #859163

Asked February 14, 2024, 5:58 PM EST

I have what appears to be a very large pine tree next to my house that during fall and especially now drops healthy bows/branches that are typically about 4-16"in length. I can't detect animal activity when it happens although I do have squirrels around. I have more pictures as well.



Oakland County Michigan

Elm Leaf beetle prevention #859157

Asked February 14, 2024, 5:01 PM EST

Hi. Last year the elm trees in our yard were hit hard by the Elm Leaf beetle. I am considering applying an insecticide to the soil around the trunks this spring to prevent another assault. Question: I have lots of native plants around the trunks of the Elm trees - will the insecticide poison them? Thanks.

Deschutes County Oregon

Roses: black spots on canes #859094

Asked February 13, 2024, 5:33 PM EST

I have over a dozen rose bushes in my yard. All of them proven fairly hardy and disease resistant. However, for the first time, two of them have black spots on all of their canes. What do I do?



Clackamas County Oregon

White, fluffy substance on plant #859093

Asked February 13, 2024, 5:26 PM EST

I am concerned about a plant which is currently indoors and at the window. I don't know the name of the plant but over the last several days I have noticed a white, fluffy substance on the long thin leaves; it has the appearance of fake snow. What action should I take? Thanks, Elizabeth



Oakland County Michigan

Drilled Amaryllis Bulb #859091

Asked February 13, 2024, 5:08 PM EST

First picture is of a drilled Christmas Gift amaryllis bulb. It flowered last year but when I prepared it for replanting this month I found holes drilled from its basal plate and upwards. Probably one and a half inch deep. I used rubbing alcohol on the cavities but no insects emerged. Pictures 2 and 3 are of a second bulb showing worse damage. Kindly advise: 1) What is the boring insect? 2) Can I salvage these two bulbs and replant them? 3) How to prevent this from occurring again as I have a Red Lion and Apple Blossom bulbs which are good and will be blooming shortly? Thank you very much.



Pennington County Minnesota

Magnolias #859044

Asked February 13, 2024, 10:37 AM EST

I’m wondering if this unusual winter will have any effect on my 5 year old Magnolia. It was a gift from Seeds of Life. I get buds, sometimes no leaves, buds sometimes don’t open all the way. What should I be doing to make it flourish??



Hennepin County Minnesota

Worms in my stanley prune #858995

Asked February 12, 2024, 1:28 PM EST

My stanley prunes have worms. I don't think it is plum curculio. I would like to know what to do. Birds, wasps and squirrels are a lesser problem. Thank you.

Hennepin County Minnesota

Bronze Birch Borer? #858974

Asked February 12, 2024, 11:08 AM EST

We have two older birch trees we would like to treat. We have found evidence of a pest we assume is the bronze birch borer, though the leaves don’t really show it the past two summers. What kind of treatment would you recommend?



Kalamazoo County Michigan

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