Search Results

Austrian Pines dying along roadside #456494

Asked May 24, 2018, 11:36 AM EDT

A significant number of mature Austrian Pines planted along a roadside greenbelt behind my house are dying. The area is located between a subdivision and a 40 mph roadway. In 2012, my subdivision cleared the variety of growth under the trees and also bottom cut the branches of most all the fir trees to a bottom height of about six feet. Last year, three (3) dead Austrian pines were removed from behind my property (12"+ diameter) and another one fell over a few houses down). Many more have brown needles and appear dead. My question is whether there is a disease currently affecting Austrian Pines, or if the clearing/tree trimming done in 2012 may have contributed to this situation.

Oakland County Michigan

Identifing Variety of Arborvitea #452622

Asked May 17, 2018, 1:09 PM EDT

About a month ago I had seven 16' Arborvitea's planted at my house. I was told they were the Thuja occidentalis "Nigra" variety, but I'm not positive that is what I bought. Can anyone tell from the photo what variety of Arborvitae I have? The second question is regarding the care of these trees. The soil where they are planted is well drained. I am noticing some of the foliage is browning, mostly on some of the tips of branches. I have been doing a deep watering every other day keeping the root balls moist. Is it possible to over water these trees? Please see 2 photos uploaded. Thank you!



New Castle County Delaware

Is Marion County the most diverse AG county in the USA? #446223

Asked April 13, 2018, 12:19 PM EDT

I've heard that Marion is the most agriculturally diverse county in the USA. Is this true? How is agricultural diversity measured?

Marion County Oregon

Lady bug but it isn't? #439278

Asked January 31, 2018, 2:37 PM EST

I see this lady bug looking insect. Orange w/ legs and spots. But it also has a single appendage toward the back that comes out sometimes and looks searated! It also flies. It's outer shell appears harder than a lady bug. What is that hideous little insect?

Ramsey County Minnesota

Orange raspberries #420858

Asked August 14, 2017, 8:59 PM EDT

Hello, I found a really neat ground cover that has orange raspberry like fruit. The foliage is small, dense and has clover like leaves. The berries are aggregate and bright orange. What is the plant? Are the berries edible to humans and chickens? Would this be ok to plant next to a lawn or do I run the risk of a take over?

Multnomah County Oregon

Redbud with wilting leaves #418765

Asked August 04, 2017, 11:31 AM EDT

Hello, Hope you're doing well. I have a redbud that was planted in November 2012. A few days ago I noticed the leaves at the top of the tree were wilting and noticed spots on the branches. The tree is mainly in the shade, but has some sun. The soil might have quite a bit of clay. I haven't applied any pesticides or fertilizer. The tree has done really well since 2012 so not sure what's going on. Also, the tree is about 10-feet tall. I've attached some photos and thanks for any advice you can provide! Steve




Montgomery County Maryland

Severe decline of Kerria japonica #415716

Asked July 24, 2017, 12:30 PM EDT

I purchased and planted five Kerria japonica ‘Honshu’ from Greer Gardens in 2010. They matured and performed beautifully in my shady woodland garden. Last year however, at the end of the season one plant dropped most of its leaves. This year, after flowering, two Kerria ‘Honshu' completely defoliated and virtually all the stems are brown. And now the other three are in varying stages of leaf drop. A Kerria japonica ‘Picta’, not located close to the ‘Honshu’, also is showing the same symptoms. The K. ‘Honshu’ are growing in full to part shade; the K. ‘Picta’ gets full afternoon sun. Dirr lists leaf and twig blight, canker, leaf spot and root rot as possible problems but says he has never noticed anything serious. A web search yielded references to a destructive blight (especially in the U.K.), and this note on the Morris Arboretum site: “A destructive stem blight is making Japanese Kerria more difficult to find in the nursery trade.” Recommendations include cutting the plant to the ground, and possibly digging up all roots as the blight can infect the roots as well. I also am concerned about this potential pathogen affecting other plants in the vicinity of the Kerria ‘Honshu.’ According to the 1982 Kent County (MD) Soil Survey my soil is Fort Mott loamy sand (FMC2), an unusual soil type for Kent County, as it occurs in only two locations that I could find. Our soil is acidic, in the range of 4.2 - 5.0 pH. According to 2012 soil tests interpreted by Dr. Frank Gouin, my soil has severe nutritional problems: magnesium levels greater than calcium levels, phosphate levels higher than potassium levels. In 2012 we applied gypsum, potassium chloride and calcium nitrate per Dr. Gouin’s instructions, but have not amended since. We do not use pesticides or fertilizers, and the Kerria ‘Honshu’ have not been mulched. The Kerria ‘Picta’ is mulched with composted arborist wood chips. I have included three photos: Kerria1.jpg shows a completely defoliated and brown Kerria japonica ‘Honshu’. Kerria2.jpg shows a Kerria japonica ‘Honshu’ in decline. KerriaLeaf shows affected leaves on the declining K. ‘Honshu’.



Kent County Maryland

Spring Snow Crab Apple Tree Planted Oct 2012 #413712

Asked July 12, 2017, 2:46 PM EDT

Please see the photos of this tree. The first one was taken in the spring of 2013. The second and third photo were taken today, The open gapping spot on the left side of the tree in the 2nd and 3rd photo is becoming more pronounced and visible. Will this fill in over time? It has not lost any branches and also it doesn't look like any of my neighbors spring snow ... their trees are all rather plump rounder and fuller. I've had this tree under the care of an arborist since it was first planted. But if the future look of this tree is to be as it is now or even worsen, I'm seriously considering removing it....would like your advise. Thank you. Elizabeth Parker



Hennepin County Minnesota

corn planting #397920

Asked May 05, 2017, 11:42 AM EDT

when instruCtions say....plant in late MAY..DOES THAT MEAN....THE 4RD WEEK OR THE 3RD WEEK?....THK

Kent County Delaware

Is mulching around the base of trees necessary. ? ( I'm speaking only of tree bases ) #397781

Asked May 04, 2017, 4:23 PM EDT

Dear Expert, Is mulching around the base of trees necessary? It costs thousands of dollars and needs to be redone almost yearly. Are the high costs justified? If so, in what circumstances? We don't have many droughts in our county. Does it really protect the roots? Are there cheaper alternatives? Is turning and adding additional soil sufficient if done yearly? I've read, that in our area, it is as much an aesthetic choice as a gardening necessity. Thank you

Oakland County Michigan