We have a silver maple whose trunk does not look right. We did not notice any difference in the health of the leaves this year, but something is eating away at the trunk. Please see attached pictures.

Where can I obtain a tick testing kit. Was bitten by a deer tick, stayed on me for several days, was engorged. My husband removed with tweezers. I have the tick. Would like it tested. Am starting a 7 day course of Doxycyline antibiotic. Will also get a blood test kit at CVS pharmacy, which I understand takes upwards of 3 weeks to determine if Lyme or other tick borne disease. I live in Frederick County, MD; contacted the health department but they do not test the tick.

I had a tree cut down this summer and now I have more sun in that bed. I would like to throw some seeds in that bed to attract mor butterflies and hummingbirds. That bed has lots of butterfly weed and black eyed Susan’s but PIkesville has few butterflies as I keep watch. In 2019, I released 15 swallowtails. I have another garden that has bee balm and butterfly plant. What seeds do you suggest I can throw down during the winter and not need any digging? Would I need to cover the seeds with a layer of soil? Do you have seed at the Hunt Valley locating?

I have a 32" diameter duel stem Ash tree that split in a strong wind storm. Can you recommend someone to bolt & cable it back together.

Greetings, I have both an eight year old Newton Pippen and an eight year old Granny Smith apple trees. I harvested apples and find that the apples have spots that appear to me to be bitter pit. There are more spots away from the stem and the spots increase after the apples have been picked. I do not taste the spots being bitter. There is only mild corky material under the spots. I do not think the spots are from stink bug attacks. I had the soil tested and the results are posted: Oregon State University Extension Douglas County Master Gardeners Soil Test Lab Results of Soil Analysis Client: November 12, 2022 Soil Texture: 47 % sand 40 % silt 13 % clay The approximate classification is: a loam soil. Humus: The humus concentration score was 0 This level is considered very low See comments on next page. pH: The pH of the sample was 8.0 SMP buffer value: not measured This soil is considered alkaline. Moderate range: 6 - 7 Nitrogen: The NO3-nitrogen level was 5 ppm, or 0.2 lbs/1000 sq. ft. This level is considered low. Moderate range: 40 - 99 ppm Phosphorus: The phosphorus level was 25 ppm, or 1.1 lbs/1000 sq. ft. This level is considered moderate. Moderate range: 20-40 ppm Potassium: The potassium level was 150 ppm, or 6.9 lbs/1000 sq. ft. This level is considered moderate. Moderate range: 150-250 ppm Calcium: The calcium level was 2800 ppm, or 128.6 lbs/1000 sq. ft. This level is considered high. Moderate range: 1000-2000 ppm Magnesium: The magnesium level was 5 ppm, or 0.2 lbs/1000 sq. ft. This level is considered low. Moderate range: 15-40 ppm 60-180 ppm I had planned to add lime because I read that a lack of calcium will cause bitter pit. However the soil test says I have high Calcium. I know a high pH prevents absorption of Calcium but my soil is only pH 8.0 so that is not high enough to prevent absorption. Can you tell me what fertilizer I should use on these trees? Thank you. Roger

Hello, I am wondering if I can use the sumac (non poisonous) from the ditches as the basis for the very popular middle eastern zahtar seasoning. If so, how would I harvest it? Dry the flowers and crush them?

While out raking leaves this weekend I noticed viable (for now) terminal buds on fig trees, several inches of sprouted florence fennel, whiteflies still present on kale, and a grasshopper. It is surprising what surives our up and down weather.

Hello,

We have been finding these bugs in our house, especially in potted plants, for a couple of months. They come out in the evening mostly and tend to hang out in dark areas underneath things like furniture, toys.  I've been searching google and can't figure out what this is. 

Thank you for any help,

Christine