A little over four years ago we planted seven Italian Cypress Trees that were delivered in #65 gallon size containers. These trees are now approximately 18 feet tall, but in the past few months something has caused many branches to turn brown. On close examination I find that at the very end of many of these brown branches there remains some green needles. Let me add that the top 1/3 of the trees are nice and green and they look healthy.

These Italian Cypress Trees are obviously a big investment and I want to do everything I can to keep them alive and healthy. About a week ago I had a tree service spray them with something designed to control insects and mite pests. I do not know if this is what needs to be done.

I am attaching two photos for you to see — one will show the degree to which limbs have turned brown and the other will be a close-up of a dead-looking branch showing the green needles at the very end.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing back from you when time permits.

What is boring into my Pin Oak tree trunk? What can I do to stop this boring?

A resident of Antrim County brought this tiny spider in to be identified. I took a couple pictures that are hopefully clear enough to be used for id'ing. The spider was found inside their home.

We have a long line of arborvitae on our property line. Some of them are thinning on about the lower half. We are wondering if there is anything we can do to help them come back to normal.

What type of tree is this?

I am noticing for the first time the emergence of quackgrass in my lawn. Research has taken me to Certainty herbicide but the label is for warm season grasses which I think I do not have. My lawn was put in my a developer using sod placement. Do you have a recommendation for control? 

Hello, I started my tomato seeds indoors on 3/2/21 and they started off doing really well. Now the leaves seem to be wilting, drying up and falling off. Some of the leaves will even easily detach from the main stem when touched. The starting soil doesn't have any nutrients added so I just started to give a low dose of Fox Farm liquid plant food. Also I keep the soil damp, not water logged at all. There was a 2 week period I kept them under a vegetative grow light, but then moved them back to the south facing window in my office for natural sunlight. Temp in room is kept at about 70-72 degrees. Dose 1 given 4/13/21: Big Bloom (0-0.5-0.7) 1 Tbsp in 1 gallon of water Dose 2 given 4/14/21: Grow Big (6-4-4) 4 tsp in 1 gallon of water

I have a birch cluster in front of my house. One of the trunks has grown over the house. When is a good time to remove that trunk? I do not want it falling a damaging my roof. Tree is healthy and 50 years old.

I leave this alone every year because it's hearty and pretty, but would actually love to have more - can you identify this plant for me?

The information I read on your sites say that Master Gardeners volunteer to provide public education regarding sustainable agriculture practices and other such related to gardening. I have FFA students coming to my small vege farm this Spring and Summer and would like to know who would like to volunteer some time to assist? Not only would it serve the upcoming agriculture/gardeners with their enthusiasm for learning in the needed skills, but it would assist the Master Gardener with keeping up their hours. And it is outdoors. We practice many methods of sustainable agriculture on my vege farm, and thus there is access for tools and resources the volunteer may need. My name and contact : Lenore Anderson 218-207-8375