I have a rowhome in Baltimore with space in front for a planter. In addition to other things I would like to have a tree for aesthetic reasons and to have some summer shade. This side of the house faces directly west. I did some research and came up with a few options. Do you agree with them? Would you have other recommendations? I would like it to not get too big when fully grown, ideally 15, maybe 20 feet. Blackhaw Viburnum https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/treedetail.cfm?itemID=933 Purpleleaf Sand Cherry https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=816 Serviceberry https://www.arborday.org/Trees/TreeGuide/treedetail.cfm?itemID=919 Thanks in advance!, Josh Hartl

Do I need to remove tree if limbs all have cracking, peeling bark after the freeze?

Wood boring beetles: I am killing about 10 every day in my house. I am concerned that they are causing damage I have no idea how they are getting in. We bought Juniper firewood last year that had lots of powder post beetles the holes in them but I don’t think these are the same insect. Are these a danger to our house?

How do I get rid of baby alium? It has spread to almost all our flower beds. Digging it ou seems to spread it.

My outside garden is in Bemidji, MN. I have seen opaque/white slug like pests on my strawberries and peas in the summer months. They are small (1” or less) and look like white blobs. What are they? How can I prevent them from eating my strawberries? Thank you!

We have just built 6 raised beds and are getting ready to get them going! Questions: 1) We are planning on putting Veggie Dairy Doo on the top 6-10 inches. Can a good quality topsoil be used to fill the rest underneath or would something else be better long term? 2) We have brought water out to each bed. What irrigation method do you recommend? We have been told about Orbitz bubblers which supposedly don't get clogged like drip irrigation. Your opinion needed!

Hello, We purchased about 20 Pacific wax myrtle (native to the PNW) to use as a hedge and the ones that were planted in the fall became infected with some sort of disease. I think it might be the fungus-like organism Phytophthora taxon morella (https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/california-wax-myrtle-morella-californica-leaf-blight) but I was hoping to get an expert opinion. We spent a ton of money on the plants and I want to prevent or at least inhibit future infections - for example, knowing whether fungicide is the best course of action. I attached several pictures. I also wanted an opinion as to whether the shrub will die if all of its leaves became infected, or if there's still a chance it will recover. Thanks! Brittany

What would you plant in a "floating island" type macrophyte filter that would do well in Washington County? Also, any recommendations for underwater plants would be helpful. We are a student group that is trying to solve a high nitrogen problem in a water body. We have found that the plants typically recommended for this type of planting are not native or even invasive. Any information would be helpful.

My giant Tallow tree next to my two story house is not putting out leaves yet. Is it possible that it was frozen during the last winter freeze? If so, how do I find out if it is dead? 
Laura Santana

I have been hardening off my cabbage seedlings this week and just noticed this on only 1 of the leaves. Any idea what happened?