I have a pink diamond hydrangea tree. Can I trim it back now or is it too late. Should I fertilize?

I’m in north-east Baltimore city. Spring 2023 two euonymus tall trees plus one shrub were invaded by leaf-notcher caterpillars. I was not able to remove eggs or afford professional help so, unfortunately the critters came back. There are many similar trees & shrubs in my neighborhood…two yards away are several 14 foot tall trees and they are not yet affected. I had my backyard 16 foot tall, broad canopy tree cut down and removed two side trunks from other tree near the front of the house. The remaining tree and the shrub are virtually denuded of leaf. I don’t know if I should maintain these infected plants - they may recover over the summer but I think next year will be the same and I worry for my neighborhood. Any thoughts? I’m writing also to alert you that these invaders have arrived this far north. Thank you for any suggestions. (I am on a limited income, have been taking care of my own property for over two decades but can no longer climb ladders to prune or protect as I used to do.) PS: I could send photos but have to ask for family help - I don’t know how to attach them. ‍

I’m looking for a ground cover to stabilize a shady, steep, forested hillside. Mostly deep shade, dry because of runoff of rain, erosion issues already a problem. Fast coverage, low maintenance, deer resistant desirable. A work crew recently cut tree roots at the base of the hil (see photos)l, which I’m sure means we lose those trees in time, but we need to try something now to keep the entire hill from eroding away. I’ve already looked at your list of ground covers, and am unfamiliar with pussy toes, about the only one that ticks every box. What would be your top 5 recommendations?

Would it be effective to hit garlic mustard now with a Weedwhacker before it flowers it is very young at this stage

We have lived a block from Como Park for 14 years, between the park and the fairgrounds. This year we are seeing our front lawn being torn up in a way that we have not experienced before. It started with about half the yard and is spreading. The surface is being dug up. Perhaps at night. We’re not sure. The affected areas are now a terrain of shallow holes and small dirt piles. We have no trees in our front yard. A few bushes and shrubs, but the damage is not occurring near them. Our neighborhood is always full of squirrels and chipmunks, of course, but it’s hard to think that this is being caused by them. They haven’t done anything like this in the past. I am attaching three photos. They don’t do a good job of showing what’s going on. I would have added some different views, but it looks like three is the limit. I hope these help. Do you have any thoughts? Thanks much. Gary Lee Joyner

I identified a fruit fly in our yard on 4/24/ 24 and 4/25/24 . I wasn't able to obtain a photo. We have a cherry tree in our yard which is about 5 years old and gives us plentiful amount of cherries yearly. Should I use a pesticide to make sure no future pest- fruit fly appear in the yard?

For the first few years, the pears from my tree were small however looked fine. The past couple years the pears are deformed. I don't know if an insect is creating the misshapen and diseased-looking pears of if it is a disease. What can I do to have healthy pears? Thank you.

I have a tall fescue lawn. Over the past several years, the lawn has a lighter green grass growing in patches. I have attached two pictures, one showing the lawn and the light green patch (one of many). The second picture is a close up of the "invasive" grass, Can you help me identify the light green grass and how to control it? I have a 3 acre lawn that will need to be treated, Thank you.

Where and how do we send a soil specimen for analysis.