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About Dr Stephen Vann
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
Plant Diseases and Disorders of Lawn Grasses, Trees, Vegetables,and Ornamentals

Experience
Plant Diseases Identification and Management

Education/Credentials
B.S. Botany --- Miss. State Univ. M.S. Plant Pathology --- Miss. State Univ. Ph.D. Plant Pathology --- Texas A & M Univ.

   

You are here:  Experts > Home/Garden > Roses > Plant Diseases

Questions Answered By Expert  Dr Stephen Vann 
In Category  Plant Diseases

SubjectDate Asked

peas11/15/2009
  Q: I have a small hydroponic garden using auto-pot technology.My snow peas were producing really well ...
  A: Wayne: The leaves look a bit hungry, however this symptom can be caused by several things- usually ...
sick Yucca plant11/14/2009
  Q: This is a follow up to my previous questions about my Yucca. I'm in the middle of looking at the ...
  A: Alissa: Good Morning! It's Sunday morning here. House calls? WOW. I wish, however I am in Arkansas. ...
sick Yucca plant11/13/2009
  Q: I've had a Yucca plant for years, but about 3 years ago it started to get sick. It had a bad case of ...
  A: Alissa: Thanks for your patience. I do not think that the "film" is a disease, but probably young ...
sick Yucca plant11/13/2009
  Q: I've had a Yucca plant for years, but about 3 years ago it started to get sick. It had a bad case of ...
  A: Alissa: Is the "film" cover the entire leaf or is it in splotches or patches? I cannot see the ...
sick Yucca plant11/13/2009
  Q: I've had a Yucca plant for years, but about 3 years ago it started to get sick. It had a bad case of ...
  A: Alissa: Can you send a closeup photo of the film? If so, review photo on your computer first to be ...
Japanese Maple infested by borer11/12/2009
  Q: I have discovered my maple tree arrox 30 yrs old has a disease on the bark which has killed one limb ...
  A: Ruth: Once in the tree, borers are difficult if not impossible to kill inside the tree. If you ...
lemon infestation11/12/2009
  Q: Dr Vann, my lemon tree has an infestation of black, semi circular growths all along the branches. ...
  A: Madeleine: I do not recognize any sort of plant disease from your photo, however these structures ...
Apple tree11/12/2009
  Q: I moved in this new place and there's an apple tree in the yard. The apples are quite small and ...
  A: Filip: I do not recognize a disease from your image, however there appears to be some possible ...
white spots on maple leaves & holes on trunk of tulip tree11/11/2009
  Q: What are the white spots on maple leaves? Can this be spread to other trees? There are small round ...
  A: Jane: The holes in the tree are from a sapsucker (type of woodpecker)-maybe a yellow bellied ...
Palm Tree11/10/2009
  Q: Do you know what is causing this on this filifera. Can anything be done for it? Thank you very much ...
  A: John: Thanks for the followup information. I am not familiar with the effects of cold temperatures ...
Weeping Willow11/8/2009
  Q: I have a weeping willow in my back yard. It was here when I bought my home in 1998. It has always ...
  A: Patti: Look for any evidences of bark damage or loosening, especially near the base and up on the ...
Palm Tree11/8/2009
  Q: Do you know what is causing this on this filifera. Can anything be done for it? Thank you very much ...
  A: John: I was unable to locate the images that you mentioned. Can you send the specific link and I ...
white rice looking things on all leaves of gardenia plant11/4/2009
  Q: I brought the plant for the winter and it has developed in a short period of time this white rice ...
  A: It's getting about that time of the year to bring the plants in off the deck or porch. We have ...
junipers & boxwoods11/3/2009
  Q: I will try to explain as best as possible; firstly we recently moved into a new home that already ...
  A: Eileen: Good Morning! A bit too cold for me where you are. Tonight here- 40's w/clear skies. Highs ...
emerald arbovitaes disease?11/2/2009
  Q: Dr. Van We have 19 emeralds I am very concerned about.Much like Trish we have a golden/orange ...
  A: Jim: Just keep an eye on them. Browning/bronzing foliage on the inside is a normal event this time ...
boxwood problems11/1/2009
  Q: I planted three boxwoods about 2 months ago. Purchased from a very reputable nursery. The leaves on ...
  A: Ellen: From your description, this doesn't sound like a normal thing. This discoloration may be ...
junipers & boxwoods10/31/2009
  Q: I will try to explain as best as possible; firstly we recently moved into a new home that already ...
  A: Eileen: I'd suggest not replacing the junipers until you can determine their health status- maybe ...
junipers & boxwoods10/30/2009
  Q: I will try to explain as best as possible; firstly we recently moved into a new home that already ...
  A: Eileen: Junipers prefer well drained soils. Excessive soil moisture can lead to comlicated root ...
emerald arbovitaes disease?10/29/2009
  Q: Dr. Van We have 19 emeralds I am very concerned about.Much like Trish we have a golden/orange ...
  A: Jim: I suspect that the change in color, especially if it is occuring on many of these plants is ...
Winterberry10/28/2009
  Q: Steve here are some pictures of that winterberry with those black spots. thanks again Mike
  A: Mike: Thanks for the photo. This photo may suggest some type of fungus disease. There are a few ...
Fox Tail Palm Diease?10/28/2009
  Q: We have some foxtail palms that we planted 3 years ago. This year, we noticed that several of the ...
  A: Lois: I don't think this is an infectious/contagious situation. It may be related to a potential ...
New Bradford Pear tree dying?10/26/2009
  Q: I recently purchased 2 Bradford Pear Tree's. They are still in their plastic 20 gal. containers. ...
  A: Mary: Leaf browning may be due to root related stress. This can be, among other things lack of or ...
Ivy10/26/2009
  Q: Over the past few months the ivy outside my walk way has lost it's leaves and the vines are exposed. ...
  A: Judy: In most cases, the "root rots" are associated with the soil remaining wet or saturated for ...
Oak tree damage10/26/2009
  Q: I live in the panhandle of FL and have a young pin oak whose leaves are looking awful. They have ...
  A: Annette: Congratulations! It came through in flying colors. This is a very common fungus disease ...
Fruitless Mullberry10/26/2009
  Q: We have a fruitless mullberry tree that is 65 to 70 years old. It is beginning decay. Do you have ...
  A: Kathy: Unfortunately, there is not a magic bullet. The decay is often a slow, yet progressive ...
pin oak tree10/25/2009
  Q: We have a mature pin oak tree in our front year. This year, the bark has started to fall off, the ...
  A: Jeff: From your description, I would suspect that your tree may have some level of decay inside. If ...
Honey Locust Tree10/25/2009
  Q: For the first time ever, 20+ years, our two side-by-side honey locust trees have no seed pods. ...
  A: Michelle: If the tree seems and looks healthy otherwise, I'd sit tight and relax. Weather conditions ...
Blue Plum Tree10/25/2009
  Q: This Blue Plum tree is approx 15-20 years old. Blossoms and sets fruit then fruit seems to shrivel ...
  A: Phyllis: If the fruit seems to rot on the tree before it shrivels, this may be a disease called ...
yellowwood tree10/25/2009
  Q: We have a yellow wood tree we planted about 5 years ago, I believe it was about 10-15 years at that ...
  A: Angela: This may be some sort of insect. Can you take and send a closeup photo of this white stuff? ...
Magnolia Tree Leaves Wilting10/24/2009
  Q: We transplanted a 10 foot magnolia tree in March of this year. The leaves yellowed and spotted at ...
  A: Cath: Some occasional leaf drop isn't of too much concern, especially inner leaves. If you have ...
Oak tree damage10/24/2009
  Q: I live in the panhandle of FL and have a young pin oak whose leaves are looking awful. They have ...
  A: Annette: Can you send along a closeup photo of one or two leaves with the raised areas/spots? I have ...
Jacaranda tree weeping10/24/2009
  Q: I have two young jacaranda trees which were taken indoors before the frosts started. I forgot to ...
  A: Bob: The tree may have been stressed by (1) heated air currents and (2) light changes. Leaf drop can ...
Ivy10/22/2009
  Q: Over the past few months the ivy outside my walk way has lost it's leaves and the vines are exposed. ...
  A: Judy: What type of ivy do you have? Did the leaves have any spots before dropping? Was anything ...
Algae Growth10/20/2009
  Q: I am doing a science project for school and was wondering if you could help me. If you can, please ...
  A: Charlie: Very good questions, unfortunately my background is primarily plant diseases and I don't ...
Lilac Tree10/20/2009
  Q: My tree is losing it's leaves at a fast pace. The leaves have spots and look dead on the tree. ...
  A: Leaf drop can be a common response to stress, especially when it originates in the roots. Your tree ...
Lilac Tree10/20/2009
  Q: My tree is losing it's leaves at a fast pace. The leaves have spots and look dead on the tree. ...
  A: Judy: Can you take and send a closeup photo of a leaf or two with the spots? Review photo on your ...
lemon tree from seed10/19/2009
  Q: I have grown a lemon tree from a seed. It is now about 5 years old and over 2 feet. Over the last ...
  A: I don't recognize anything in particular that is associated with the spots. If they begin to spread, ...
lemon tree from seed10/19/2009
  Q: I have grown a lemon tree from a seed. It is now about 5 years old and over 2 feet. Over the last ...
  A: Charlotte: Glad to hear you've been successful at getting a lemon tree from seed- wow , you must be ...
Black Jack Fig10/18/2009
  Q: Vann, We planted a 5 Gallon Black Jack Fig in Palos Verdes, Ca on June 15, 2008. I put 2 0-10 ...
  A: Bob: I believe this tree is a deciduous tree and will drop its leaves for the season. They usually ...
Hibiscus10/18/2009
  Q: I live on Long Island, and just tried replanting my Hibiscus to bring in for the winter, one was ...
  A: Chrissy: If the gnats are very small and black, they may be fungus gnats. If so, these things are a ...
miniature rose10/18/2009
  Q: The leaves are wilting and there is a white pasty substance coating many leaves and even stems. What ...
  A: Joan: This waxy stuff doesn't sound like a disease, but possible insect. Can you send a closeup ...
tiny orange worms10/17/2009
  Q: I was looking at acorns one day and I found two little orange worms eating the acorn.I would like to ...
  A: Tiara: These insects are probably considered parasites, but I suspect they will have minimal overall ...
emerald arbs10/17/2009
  Q: we planted 20 4' emerald arborvitae trees in August. They seemed to have done fine. Until about 1 ...
  A: Trish: I do not suspect an infectious disease, rather an environmental stress- perhaps the period of ...
key lime tree10/17/2009
  Q: my key lime has white film on the leaves,thank you Cheryl
  A: Cheryl: Check to see if this film will wipe off by using a wet paper towel and rubbing the leaf. If ...
emerald arbs10/16/2009
  Q: we planted 20 4' emerald arborvitae trees in August. They seemed to have done fine. Until about 1 ...
  A: Trish: Thanks for your inquiry. Are all of these plants becoming discolored? What state do you ...
Worms on lemon tree10/14/2009
  Q: I have noticed some very ugly ugly looking worms on my leaves on my lemon trees that I have planted ...
  A: Sandra: These are the orangedog caterpillar. It is the immature form of a swallowtail butterfly. On ...
moss on trees10/13/2009
  Q: there is a lot of moss on the tree stump and branches.kindly let me know what i should apply to kill ...
  A: Vcsrajan: Moss occurs frequently in environments that are consistently moist or wet. Consider ...
Eugenia problems10/13/2009
  Q: I have a row of 10 Syzygium paniculatum (Eugenia) hedges that I planted about 6 months ago. They ...
  A: Mark; Based on your description, I'd probably be leaning toward an environmental issue. There may ...
White powdery substance on branches10/13/2009
  Q: Have a tree in the yard but not sure what it is (not a typical oak, maple...poss. a fruitless, ...
  A: Michael: One option for you to think about is snipping off one of these twigs with the white stuff ...
bugs in my tree10/12/2009
  Q: I have this white web on some of my trees. There are black pepper like things inside the web. The ...
  A: Victoria: This looks like an insect pest called fall webworm. Check out fall webworm under "Google ...
redbud tree10/12/2009
  Q: The bark of my ten year old redbud seems to be shedding right at the base of the tree. I don't like ...
  A: Paul: This may indicate possible insect or disease activity. You might consider scratching around ...
Dark colored bugs on our white birch tree10/12/2009
  Q: Over the last few years we have had bugs on the limbs of our tree. They are clustered together on ...
  A: Rick: Can you send a photo of these critters? Take a closeup photo of a few of these. Be sure to ...
risk of tree falling10/11/2009
  Q: In July a 100 foot linden tree fell on my house. Now I look at my other trees differently. I have a ...
  A: Howard: I would suggest getting an assessment by a certified arborist. These folks are trained to ...
Pear tree leaf problems10/11/2009
  Q: I have inherited two wall splayed pear trees each of a different variety but both of whom suffer ...
  A: Beverly: You are very welcome- glad I could help!! I am in Arkansas. Many of the these rust ...
Arbovitae10/11/2009
  Q: I did not notice it earlier because they look nice and green on the surface. I also have another in ...
  A: Julia: Some browning is expected from the inside, especially if it is of mature size. If you can, ...
Spotty Sage Cutting10/11/2009
  Q: I've recently obtained a sage cutting that was a bit wilty when I got it, but I attributed to stress ...
  A: Kasey: The browning and wilt can be due indeed to a root related stress. Just give it some TLC and ...
fruitless mulberry tree10/9/2009
  Q: What is the average life span of a fruitless mulberry tree that has been pollarded yearly?
  A: Susann: Difficult to say. Depends on overall health and cultural care and if any decay is within ...
Peach Tree10/9/2009
  Q: There are strange balls that look like sap at the base of my peach tree. Why?
  A: Sarah: This exudate is "sap" from the tree that is expressed through an opening in the bark. It ...
dying bogenvillas10/8/2009
  Q: We live in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico where bogenvillas are abundant. Four years ago we planted four ...
  A: Lin: Check a couple of things first. Take a close look at the main stem near the soil line and ...
Mini rose bush disease and it's effect on people..10/8/2009
  Q: I wanted to ask about the powdery mildew fungus that I found on my mini red rose bush. I brought it ...
  A: Sharon: I am not aware of any documented allergies or other ill effects that PM has on people. ...
fat albert spruces10/8/2009
  Q: We had an incredibly damp summer for Kansas and my beautiful spruces' needles are turning yellow ...
  A: Lori: I am assuming the tree has been planted for some time. I did not recognize any infectious ...
Pine Tree Fungus10/8/2009
  Q: I have an alpine fir that is about 5 years old. This fall it has developed a bizarre white speckled ...
  A: Nicole: This may be an insect rather than a fungus. Using your computer, go to "Google Images" and ...
Flowers on Magnolia Trees10/7/2009
  Q: I planted a small magnolia tree. It is growing fine and has begun to have flowers. The flowers when ...
  A: W.R. Thanks for your question. From your description, it sounds as if the outer parts of the ...
Weeping Mulberry10/7/2009
  Q: I am a novice gardener (your average new home owner). We built a new house last July and I planted ...
  A: Ash: Your question may be better suited for an insect person. You may wish to consider collecting ...
sick fruitless mulberry10/7/2009
  Q: We have several fruitless mulberries in our yard in East Contra Costa County, CA. We lost one a few ...
  A: Denise: Thanks for the information. From your description, there may be some low level of internal ...
Palm tree pest spreads!10/6/2009
  Q: I have a somewhat bizarre situation. I live in Toronto (Canada) and got an indoor palm tree a few ...
  A: Emma: I am not aware of these things causing an allergy- just a nusiance when they are unsightly. ...
Palm tree pest spreads!10/6/2009
  Q: I have a somewhat bizarre situation. I live in Toronto (Canada) and got an indoor palm tree a few ...
  A: Emma: Did these objects move AFTER they were seen stuck to the wall? If not, these things may be ...
oak trees10/6/2009
  Q: I have these brown fuzzy things all over my oaks. And also some kind of worm eating all the leaves. ...
  A: Rhonda: It would be necessary to know the insect identity first. Can you send a photo of the insect ...
magnolia diseases10/5/2009
  Q: my magnolia's are 45 yrs. old. one tree is in good condition but the other one has dead limbs all ...
  A: Dudley: This papery growth may be Lichens. Have a look at this article I wrote and let me know if ...
Oleander Health and Transplanting10/5/2009
  Q: Vann: I live in Southern California where, for many years, as other residents do, I've lined the ...
  A: David: Your theory does indeed has some merit. It is difficult to say how much, because these ...
Asparagus10/4/2009
  Q: My plants have a white sticky substance on some of the ferns. This is the first year we got any ...
  A: Elsie: Can you send a closeup photo of this stuff on the leaves? It may help me to see it. It may ...
sick fruitless mulberry10/4/2009
  Q: We have several fruitless mulberries in our yard in East Contra Costa County, CA. We lost one a few ...
  A: Denise: You might give the trunk a look. Check for areas where the bark may have been damaged or ...
orange tree problems10/4/2009
  Q: My new orange tree (2 years) has black specks covering the under side of most of the leave. What is ...
  A: Gene: Can you take a closeup photo of a leaf or two and send for me to see? Review your image on ...
Grapefruit tree10/3/2009
  Q: I have a 5 year old grapefruit and it is now shooting out new growth. The leaves get a white almost ...
  A: Mark: This white covering may be a fungus disease called powdery mildew. Using Google Images on ...
Red Tips in Trouble10/2/2009
  Q: Please see the attached photo. Several of our red tip shrubs have this at the base of the plant and ...
  A: Tommy: This white stuff is a fungus that is fruiting on the base of the shrub. There is a good ...
Brown arborvitaes10/2/2009
  Q: this is my follow up question on the arborvitaes (the old converse 'Dying Garden" doesn't except ...
  A: Olga: If the browning in your photo is quite representative of the overall condition of the trees, I ...
pine trees10/2/2009
  Q: I planted several pine trees last year. This summer in the Alabama gulf shores area we had a very ...
  A: Mike: Take a look at this brief article that may help answer "sooty mold" questions. You will need ...
pine trees10/2/2009
  Q: I planted several pine trees last year. This summer in the Alabama gulf shores area we had a very ...
  A: Mike: Check to see if the black coloring on the needles will rub off with a wet finger or a wet ...
deseases in orange plants10/1/2009
  Q: sir, we have orange garden. these days some oranges in orange crop r turning orange in colour ...
  A: Vishal: You may have an insect infestation based on your description. Correct ID is necessary to ...
oak trees10/1/2009
  Q: I have these brown fuzzy things all over my oaks. And also some kind of worm eating all the leaves. ...
  A: Rhonda: If these fuzzy brown things look like fuzzy balls often stuck to the leaves, then these are ...
house plants10/1/2009
  Q: Ive been finding little balls on the floor under a few house plants, which i picked them up and ...
  A: Joe: Thanks for your question. What houseplants are you finding these objects under? And can you ...
Pine tree disease10/1/2009
  Q: Good day. I am in the Northeastern US and noted that several of my pine trees have round spotty ...
  A: Good Morning. Based on your description, suggest taking a look at "Lichens" using Google Images on ...
Ligustrum disease10/1/2009
  Q: Dr. Vann, I have a Ligustrum tree that appears to have some type of disorder. It looks like spider ...
  A: Bill: Have a look at "Tent Caterpillars" and also "Fall Webworm" using Google Images on your ...
Willow weavils9/30/2009
  Q: I saw your answer about the black bugs that eat willow tree leaves as the situation you described is ...
  A: Laura: It is best to the insect ID'd correctly. This will be useful to select the most appropriate ...
arborvitae`s9/30/2009
  Q: Pictures are attached pleas e help @@@@@IMAGE:35432:Plant-Diseases-715/2009/09/tree_3.jpg##### ...
  A: Paul: I contacted the Extension service in your state just a few minutes ago and was told that there ...
A Disease is Killing My Trees in Southern California9/30/2009
  Q: Vann: I live in Southern California in the "Inland Empire" about 70 miles east of Los Angeles, and ...
  A: David: I expect the black substance can be any number of fungal organisms that have become ...
Crape Myrtle9/30/2009
  Q: I have about 20 crape myrtle and 2 of them planted two years ago have white scales on their trunks ...
  A: Mark: This black stuff may be sooty mold, the result of an insect infestation. It can discolor the ...
arborvitae`s9/29/2009
  Q: Pictures are attached pleas e help @@@@@IMAGE:35432:Plant-Diseases-715/2009/09/tree_3.jpg##### ...
  A: Paul: I would probably hold off on any fertilizer right now since fall and winter are just around ...
Aspen trees with aphid problem in the Fall9/29/2009
  Q: We have had an aphid problem with our aspen trees. Do you think we should get 3 treatments ...
  A: Nicole: At this time of year, I think you would be wasting your time and money. Here in my part of ...
Black Spots on Trees9/29/2009
  Q: I live in an area that has a spring running through the whole development. My side yard gets very ...
  A: Good Morning! I took a look at your photo, but unfortunately, it is not in focus. Can you resend? ...
arborvitae`s9/29/2009
  Q: Pictures are attached pleas e help
  A: Paul: Thanks for the photo. I would suspect that the yellowing is probably related to a root or soil ...
Crape Myrtle - leaves turned black9/28/2009
  Q: Recently our otherwise healty crepe myrtle seems to have turned black with some type of ...
  A: Don: See this publication about Sooty ...
white gummy stuff under basil leaves9/27/2009
  Q: We noticed a white gummy, almost looks like spit, on the underside of a basil plant. Couldn't see ...
  A: Sam: If this stuff looks like spit, it may be an insect called Spittle Bug. Check out Google Images ...
white measels on Sago palm9/27/2009
  Q: One of my Sago palms has developed what I can best describe as white measles on the fronds. The ...
  A: Can you take and send a closeup photo of these white things? These may be a type of insect (possible ...
emerald green arborvitae9/25/2009
  Q: I live in central Illinois and in spring 2008 planted 20 emerald green arborvitae. They budded like ...
  A: Rick: Thanks for the photos. These structures are normal -- the Male and female reproductive ...
pecan trees9/24/2009
  Q: my husband dies 8 months ago and he was the tree and landscaping person, i have no idea what to do ...
  A: Becki: I suspect that the black spots on the leaves may be a disease called Pecan Scab- a very ...
pomegranate tree9/24/2009
  Q: old and it beared a few fruit that was not edible.Now with fruit still on the tree. half of the tree ...
  A: Joyce: First, I'd look around at the tree for any evidence of injury/damage to the trunk, especially ...
Eugenia shrubs9/23/2009
  Q: I have about 20 Eugenia shrubs that were planted back in mid-June of this year. None showed any ...
  A: Laura: I do not suspect a bona fide infectious disease here because of the pattern. I would lean ...
king palm trunk is dying9/22/2009
  Q: Two years ago I planted a large 36 inch boxed triple trunk King palm in my yard in coastal southern ...
  A: Chris: This might be a root rot that has slowly developed or possibly insects that may have moved ...
Stinkhorn Fungi(carrot like fungis around my maple tree)9/22/2009
  Q: I have discovered this fungus in a few places around my yard, especially around my maple tree and in ...
  A: Ashley: This stinkhorn fungi (several types)are not harmful to plants. It may seem to "pop" up ...
emerald green arborvitae9/21/2009
  Q: I live in central Illinois and in spring 2008 planted 20 emerald green arborvitae. They budded like ...
  A: Rick: Please send a closeup of these structures as they appear attached on the twigs. Review your ...
Privet dying9/21/2009
  Q: Our privet hedges have a whitish-greem mold of fungus growing on the stems. Some leaves have a ...
  A: Joanne: Beyond appropriate fertilization (based on a recent soil test) and watering -especially ...
Euonymous Scale9/20/2009
  Q: I got nervous when I read that Scale should be treated in May and June, its now October and I've had ...
  A: Sherrie: In my part of the world, this euonymous scale insect is the worst insect pest on this ...
japanese beetles9/19/2009
  Q: Northern Indiana I plan to use milky spore in order to control the Japanese beetles in my lawn. ...
  A: Sam: Based on your information, probably best in Mid to late July. Since the climate will affect ...
Privet dying9/19/2009
  Q: Our privet hedges have a whitish-greem mold of fungus growing on the stems. Some leaves have a ...
  A: Joanne: The gray-green leafy circular patches on the stems are lichens. Google images of the things ...
Privet dying9/19/2009
  Q: Our privet hedges have a whitish-greem mold of fungus growing on the stems. Some leaves have a ...
  A: Joanne: The mold that you mentioned may be a couple of things. Can you submit a closeup photo? The ...
What is causing very fine saw dust and sticky drops under Mimosa tree9/17/2009
  Q: I have a Mimosa tree over my driveway. Every day there is a fine sawdust like substance on my car ...
  A: Joseph: I would be very suspicious of an insect associated with the sawdust material and sticky ...
Live oak tree9/17/2009
  Q: I have noticed a spider web like cocoon engulfing my tree. I live in the southern part of Texas. I ...
  A: Alice: Can you describe the size and location of the web on the tree? If possible, can you send a ...
meyer lemon losing leaves9/16/2009
  Q: My lemon tree is 3 years old, and it summers outdoors and I bring it in mid September. This year ...
  A: Laina: Mites can debilitate a plant if the numbers are large enough- causing the leaves to yellow. ...
dying roses9/16/2009
  Q: We have a Bit of a dilemma, my girlfriend is in a bit of a quandary as to why her precious Rose ...
  A: Jenny: Thanks for your inquiry. I agree that the shears/pruning are probably not the cause, unless ...
tomato blight9/16/2009
  Q: Is there any way to get blight out of the soil after it has been introduced? Our garden is organic, ...
  A: Lynda: Many plant problems can lead to a wilt- it is one of the most common symptoms of bonafde ...
meyer lemon losing leaves9/15/2009
  Q: My lemon tree is 3 years old, and it summers outdoors and I bring it in mid September. This year ...
  A: Laina: The yellowing leaves w/greer veins sounds very suspicious of a soil related problem. This ...
fungus??9/15/2009
  Q: I live in southeast NC. I & my neighbors have some kind of reddish/purple powder like substance on ...
  A: James: See this bulletin I have prepared on Sooty Mold. You will need to have a free program on ...
pine tree dying9/15/2009
  Q: I have 3 pine trees in my back yard that are dying. The needles are turning brown and falling off ...
  A: Mike: Check the trunks and root zone area for evidence of physical damage (e.g. bark damage or ...
tomato blight9/15/2009
  Q: Is there any way to get blight out of the soil after it has been introduced? Our garden is organic, ...
  A: Lynda: The most common blights that we might see here in Arkansas are Early Blight or Late Blight. ...
fungus??9/14/2009
  Q: I live in southeast NC. I & my neighbors have some kind of reddish/purple powder like substance on ...
  A: James: Since this is occurring on several unrelated plants, I would be inclined to think it was not ...
Lilac Disease9/14/2009
  Q: I was having curling brown leaves on half my lilac bush but was able to get flowers on the other ...
  A: Joy: Sounds like the lilac may be in a terminal condition from your description and removal may be ...
indoor ficus9/13/2009
  Q: My ficus has a white ball on the under part of the leaf where the leaf comes out from the branch. ...
  A: Shelia: This may be an insect such as a wooly aphid or mealybugs. Google "images" of these two ...
Lilac Disease9/13/2009
  Q: I was having curling brown leaves on half my lilac bush but was able to get flowers on the other ...
  A: Joy: If this fungus is growing directly on the bark, then it may represent some level of decay that ...
jade houseplant9/13/2009
  Q: I've cut off many branches but can't seem to control it. Should I give it all new soil?
  A: Julie: Can you take a closeup (get as close as you can)photo of this gray stuff on the stem/leaf and ...
sago palm white scales treatment9/11/2009
  Q: i was told to use Volck oil spray and malathion to kill the white scales disease on my sago palm is ...
  A: Theresa: Both of these products can be used for the scale insects. Test them on a small portion ...
Emeral Arborvitae9/11/2009
  Q: I bought three arborvitae that are approximately 4 ft. high. One has been transplanted into another ...
  A: Betty: On the fern, again I suspect a soil issue. The Miracle Gro products are usually quite good ...
mulberry tree disease9/10/2009
  Q: My large mulberry tree has a whitish mold growing on several branches. This year I noticed that ...
  A: Nick: If the tree is "mature", and the mold seems associated with the bare branches, I suspect it is ...
dieffenbachia leaf fall9/10/2009
  Q: i had this dieffenbacia since april and it was all bushy and brilleint with color, and now i dont ...
  A: Mohammad: These symptoms often result from a root related stress. For example, if the soil is too ...
Pomegranate with twisted leaves9/10/2009
  Q: You guys always have the answers, so here's my problem: I recently purchased a dwarf pomegranate ...
  A: Maegan: That is one "weird" looking plant- but it sounds cool though. Since you volunteered (be ...
Maple Tree9/9/2009
  Q: We are sorry, but kathy crowley wasn't able to answer yourWe have an older maple tree. I don't know ...
  A: Leslie: This can indeed happen, especially if the roots are extensive enough to have entered the ...
Blue Girl Holly9/9/2009
  Q: Any idea what would make my previously healthy (planted this summer, 24 inches high) suddenly drop ...
  A: Pam: Leaf drop can be a result of a root and/or soil related stress. Things to consider: Be sure it ...
italian cypress9/8/2009
  Q: I have 32 yr old Ital cypress and 2 seem to have large dead patches in the upper 1/3 of tree. I ...
  A: Madeline: The dead patches could be several possibilities such as a twig blight plant disease or ...
tree care9/8/2009
  Q: I have a combination of dwarf alberta spruce, cypress-(eastern red cedar and aborvitae) in the yard. ...
  A: Mike: It would be to your advantage to have a soil sample evaluated first. By having an analysis ...
Schefflera arboricola9/8/2009
  Q: Vann My schefflera arboricola has many problems: 1. Some of the leaves are turning into brownish ...
  A: Yara: My first thought would be a root/soil problem. Check the soil and be sure it is moist and has ...
Maple Tree9/8/2009
  Q: We are sorry, but kathy crowley wasn't able to answer yourWe have an older maple tree. I don't know ...
  A: Leslie: I suspect that the leaf drop may be a result of an environmental stress rather than a bona ...
yellow leaves on crepe myrtle tree9/8/2009
  Q: My crepe myrtle tree which is about 12 years old has shedding a lot of yellow leaves this summer and ...
  A: Judi: A nutrient imbalance is possible, however the soil moisture issue may still be a possibility. ...
house plant infestation9/7/2009
  Q: I have a hibiscus (inside variety) which looks like it has been peppered with a pepper shaker. I ...
  A: Pat: See if these black specks wipe off with a wet paper towel or wet finger. If so, it may be ...
pin oak "pellets"9/7/2009
  Q: We have a mature pin oak hanging over our deck (North Carolina). We have lived here 10 years and ...
  A: Jan: I suspect these structures may be insect related- perhaps "poop". If you want to, you are ...
Rose of Sharon9/7/2009
  Q: My Rose of Sharon never really took off this spring, it grew some but the leaves were very sparse, ...
  A: Karen: Several things may have caused this. Sometime insects can tunnel into the stems and lead to a ...
Cedar Tree with brown nodules9/6/2009
  Q: My windbreak is all cedar trees that are over 50 feet tall, I was out checking my one apple tree ...
  A: Terrilyn: Crabapple can develop cedar apple rust also. I do not know how sensitive your variety is ...
Japanese Maple problem9/5/2009
  Q: I have grown Japanese Maples for years and on an occasion I have found that the stems turn black and ...
  A: Brad: The black stems may be a result of "sooty mold" a condition caused by an insect infestation. ...
poplar trees9/5/2009
  Q: We have a farm yard with a lot of poplar trees. This year, for the first time in the 41 years we ...
  A: Claire: This sticky spray may actually be "honeydew", a clear deposit produced from insects that are ...
apple plants Diseases9/5/2009
  Q: sir my plot situated in 5000 to 6000mt. height.there are some problem in apple tree: 1.Root warm ...
  A: Prashant: The insect borers sounds as if they are causing significant problems. These insects can ...
Cedar Tree with brown nodules9/5/2009
  Q: My windbreak is all cedar trees that are over 50 feet tall, I was out checking my one apple tree ...
  A: Terilyn: These nodules are probably the older structures of a fungus disease called Cedar Apple ...
golden jade9/5/2009
  Q: i bought a jade about two and a half months ago, that had a red bordered leaf, and i potted and ...
  A: Thelma: I suspect that the plant may have got too hot or dry leading to the leaf loss. Check into ...
Sago Palms9/4/2009
  Q: I live in southern Ca. next to the ocean. I have several Sago Palms in my yard that are 15 years ...
  A: Don: I'd be inclined to focus my attention to the soil conditions. I suggest a soil test. You can ...
Quaking Aspen9/4/2009
  Q: somehow i ended up growing a quaking aspen in a pot on my deck.Anyhow now i've noticed it has little ...
  A: Carmella: Can you take and send me a closeup photograph of these bumps? It will help me to see some ...
Quaking Aspen Problem9/4/2009
  Q: I have a bad case of black leak fungi on my Quaking Aspen tree and am currently treating it with a ...
  A: Mike: As mentioned, rake up and burn (if your community allows it) fallen leaves and twigs sometime ...
Autumn Blaze Maple Aphid Infestation9/3/2009
  Q: I have a autumn blaze maple that is about 4 years old and 30 ft tall by 20 ft wide. I’ve been ...
  A: Pat: It is usually not feasible nor practical for homeowners to spray this size of a tree for ...
beetle looking insect feeding on spider plant9/2/2009
  Q: I see a beetle type insect crawling on my indoor spider plant. It seems to leave small spots which ...
  A: Linda: In order to pick the best insecticide for these critters, it is best to get them identified ...
waxleaf ligustrum9/2/2009
  Q: My plant is 8' tall, over six years old. This year it has been plagued with leafrollers, but the ...
  A: Richard: These plants are quite durable. If the leafrollers have become one of the issues that you ...
plum tree disease9/2/2009
  Q: I planted a plum tree last year and it was growing nicely. However for the last 3/4 months the ...
  A: Serap: The sticky appearance is usually a good indicator of an insect presence, either on that plant ...
Powdery mildew.9/2/2009
  Q: I have what appears to be powdery mildew on a rosemary plant. The plant is in afternoon/evening ...
  A: Thomas: Powdery mildew on a plant resembles a dusting of baby powder. Some organic controls include ...
viburnum problem9/2/2009
  Q: We have a Pink Dawn Viburnum that we planted about 4 years ago. It is around 7 feet high and gets at ...
  A: Michelle: I don't think there is a insect/disease issue with your flowering question. There is a ...
Flowering Cherry Tree problem9/1/2009
  Q: We live on the NE side of Houston, TX. We have sandy soil that drains well. Planted a flowering ...
  A: Richard: If this tree was recently planted as it sounds, it may be experiencing transplant shock. I ...
Chinese/Lacebark Elm9/1/2009
  Q: 2 years ago I purchased a Chinese elm. It had grown and really was quite healthy until about 2 days ...
  A: Plant Guy: These trees (Ulmus parvifolia) are very durable trees with a hardiness from zones 4 to 9. ...
viburnum problem9/1/2009
  Q: We have a Pink Dawn Viburnum that we planted about 4 years ago. It is around 7 feet high and gets at ...
  A: Michelle: Since many leaf spots can look alike, it would be advisable to have someone look at an ...
Conifers8/31/2009
  Q: Steve, thanks for all your help with my questions about the conifers and the browning of the inner ...
  A: Paul: I've had a chance to visit with a horticulture person whom is far more knowledgeable than I on ...
Conifers8/30/2009
  Q: I have about 25 conifer trees planted around the outer perimeter of my garden, and we have just ...
  A: Paul: Thnx for the pics. You have a variety of evergreens in this row, including a few that appear ...
Conifers8/30/2009
  Q: I have about 25 conifer trees planted around the outer perimeter of my garden, and we have just ...
  A: Paul: Again, I don't see anything that stands out to me as a true biotic disease. But, be on the ...
willow tree losing leaves8/30/2009
  Q: We have a large willow that has started losing leaves at a daily rate. they turn yellow and on a hot ...
  A: Kevin: Check for any damage to the bark near the base of the tree. Check also for any apparent root ...
Snow blossom Weeping Cherry Tree8/29/2009
  Q: I noticed some ants crawling on the leaves of my tree. The tree is young and I do not know if it is ...
  A: Ellen: Ants, by themselves should not cause any damage. I expect they are there for some other ...
Trembling Aspen8/29/2009
  Q: Vann, I have a mature trembling aspen on my front lawn. I am estimating it's age at 25 - 30 years, ...
  A: Carol3: These swellings may be an insect borer inside the branch or perhaps a canker caused from a ...
aspen tree disease8/29/2009
  Q: my aspen tree has leaves that have pea shaped things that are on the back of the leaf along the main ...
  A: Judy: These structures may be an insect gall called Phylloxera. Google this word for pictures to ...
boxwoods8/29/2009
  Q: I have two boxwoods that have been in planters for about 3 months. Patches of leaves have begun to ...
  A: Frank: Boxwood is prone to a couple of root problems. Too much water can lead to big problems. Be ...
Conifers8/28/2009
  Q: I have about 25 conifer trees planted around the outer perimeter of my garden, and we have just ...
  A: Paul: An image or two may be in order for me to have a better idea of your problem. Please note: ...
monkey puzzle tree8/28/2009
  Q: I have just moved into my new house and have inherited a stunning 30 feet monkey puzzle tree. I have ...
  A: Tahera: The "ooze" maybe an indication of a resin or sap flow from an opening in the bark. This ...
euonymus8/28/2009
  Q: the leaves are falling off,limbs and foliage have a small white tiny looking thing on them, all I ...
  A: Len: In my part of the world, scale insects are the big issue. Small white "specks" usually on the ...
Vinca8/27/2009
  Q: Our vinca has dead leaves throughout the growth. Started two years ago along the edges. We thought ...
  A: Andrea: Are you referring to annual vinca (Catharanthus)? If so, there is a disease called branch ...
honeysuckle plant disease8/27/2009
  Q: plant has vined vigorously but never bloomed due to infestation of what looks like house flies. ...
  A: Peter: I am not a good "bug person", and am unable to make a determination of identification of the ...
Red Top Ligustrum8/27/2009
  Q: We have just noticed a thick white growth starting on the exposed roots of our Red Top Legustrum and ...
  A: Dorothy: This growth may be a type of mushroom or other fungus on the roots. It may or may not be ...
Kwanson Cherry Tree is dying!8/27/2009
  Q: I need help. I have a Kwanson Cherry tree in my front yard. I have lived there for 14 yrs and it ...
  A: Becky: I suspect something other than this insect. Look at the trunk and larger branches for ...
Conifers8/27/2009
  Q: I have about 25 conifer trees planted around the outer perimeter of my garden, and we have just ...
  A: Paul: Some pines drop their inner needles during the year, so this alone is not an indication of a ...
Ficus Tree - shriveled leaves8/26/2009
  Q: I have a ficus tree that is about 6 feet tall and has been very healthy. Recently I noticed some ...
  A: Leslie: It would be helpful to get an ID on the insect that you found. Some critters can cause ...
Red Emperor Japanese Maple Dying?8/26/2009
  Q: I planted an 8 foot tall Red Emperor JP this spring. It has now lost all of the red color to the ...
  A: Carrie: I don't think your tree is dying. Some JMs have different colored foliage during the spring ...
Jade Tree8/25/2009
  Q: I have a 12 yr old jade tree - that I thought was doing great - it had lots of branches, some ...
  A: Mary Ann: Good Morning. If the stem fell over as a result of the mushy area, then there may be a ...
Cleveland and Bradford Pear tree8/25/2009
  Q: I have both trees the Bradford Tree had a web on end of branch which I was able to cut off and ...
  A: Elaine: These are probably fall web worms. They are very common on sweetgum, pecans, and sometimes ...
pine tree8/25/2009
  Q: "I have a Pine Tree that has a few branches that look like they are covered in black oil. Even the ...
  A: Mary: The black coating stuff may be sooty mold. We see this on crapemyrtle alot! Leaves/stems get ...
crepe myrtles8/25/2009
  Q: We have had 4 crepe myrtles for 3 years and only 1 bloomed during the first. They all look green and ...
  A: Joyce: Your growing season may be shorter compared to other areas. In your area, these plants may ...
tree planting8/24/2009
  Q: we live in NJ and we planted 7 2" caliber october glory maples august 19th. the weather happened to ...
  A: Jeff: At this time of year, watering frequency is important. I usually "flood the hole" as soon as ...
weeping cherry bloosom8/24/2009
  Q: My weeping cherry bloosom is sick! My husband and I purchased this tree last summer it bloomed ...
  A: Lynette: Wet/poorly drained soil can create a serious stress condition than can lead to root rots ...
Rose of Sharon disease8/24/2009
  Q: I have 2 Rose of Sharon trees with cluster of small greenish-brown nodules growing on them. They ...
  A: Laura: These nodules appear as adventitious root initials from your photo, this can occur especially ...
small tan beetles on black locust8/24/2009
  Q: I have a black locust that has started to get leaves that are yellowing and dropping at a rapid ...
  A: Amanda: Best to get these "critters" identified so as to (1) find out if they are harming your tree ...
poplars8/24/2009
  Q: I live in Southern Alberta , Canada and my question is.... The leaves on my poplars are turning ...
  A: Ilona: The reference I have here doesn't indicate powdery mildew occurring on Caragana, despite the ...
Plum Tree Mould8/23/2009
  Q: our plum tree is covered in fruit but some of the plums have a creamy circular type mould growing on ...
  A: Shaz: Take a look at "Brown Rot" on Google Images and see if this looks similar to your situation. ...
hedges disease ?8/22/2009
  Q: WHILE PRUNING i notice powdery mildew on leaves also a thick white substance on main branches that ...
  A: John: Can you send a photo of this stuff? It may be an insect infestation, but would need to see ...
Emeral Arborvitae8/22/2009
  Q: I bought three arborvitae that are approximately 4 ft. high. One has been transplanted into another ...
  A: Betty: That's a tough one. Not being able to see and examine the plant makes it a head scratcher. ...
Jasmine problem8/21/2009
  Q: I have a jasmine in my London garden which has been happily in situ for 12 years. It flowers ...
  A: Rachel: Hello and good morning from Arkansas. I am glad to hear from a visitor from afar! Bark ...
crepe myrtle8/21/2009
  Q: I have two crepe myrtles that are 9 years old. They are in a flower bed about 10 feet apart. They ...
  A: Steve: The black stuff (sooty mold)is a result of the aphids. There are a few insecticides out ...
Tulip Tree shedding limb bark8/21/2009
  Q: I have several tulip trees (North Central Indiana) and every summer several large and small limbs ...
  A: Brian: I am not aware of an infectious disease that may causes these symptoms. This may occur as a ...
holly bushes8/21/2009
  Q: I have a male and female holly bush that I have planted in our landscape. Over the summer, both ...
  A: Janice: If you have clay in the soil, this may create a stress condition for the shrubs. If the ...
majestic oak tree with a problem?8/21/2009
  Q: I have a majestic oak tree in my yard in Maryland. Recently I have noticed a series of dark ...
  A: Bob: Difficult to say the origin of these "blotches", but these areas may be a direct result of ...
Wax Myrtle8/20/2009
  Q: We planted wax myrtles in February 09. Shortly after, we had a frost and some of the tender new ...
  A: Rachel: May be best to see if there is someone who can make a "house call". It is difficult for me ...
southern magnolia tree8/20/2009
  Q: I have a three year old southern magnolia tree.I live in Devine Tx I have never had any problems ...
  A: Dawn: Magnolia is a hardy tree. If the leaves changed overnight, I would probably be suspicious of ...
Honey Locust tree8/20/2009
  Q: We have a locust tree in our yard about 12 years old. This year there are very few pods on it, and ...
  A: Lisa: These mushrooms may represent the presence of an internal disease problem if they are growing ...
Evergreen is dying8/19/2009
  Q: I have an evergreen that has been doing just fine for about 10 years. I recently noticed that a lot ...
  A: Erica: Those things that you mentioned are all good. I have not heard of dogs doing this type of ...
Evergreen is dying8/19/2009
  Q: I have an evergreen that has been doing just fine for about 10 years. I recently noticed that a lot ...
  A: Erica: Good Morning- Hello Again. This Branch Canker disease mentioned in my earlier reply affects ...
Evergreen is dying8/19/2009
  Q: I have an evergreen that has been doing just fine for about 10 years. I recently noticed that a lot ...
  A: Erica: This tree looks like a Leyland Cypress. This tree is quite susceptible to a branch disease ...
New Wisteria plant dying8/19/2009
  Q: I just planted a new Wisteria plant this summer. I love the blooms and I had heard they are a very ...
  A: Lori: Good Morning! If the bark has been chewed away on the lower stem, and leaves and twigs are ...
boxwood die back8/19/2009
  Q: I live in Iowa on boarder of area 4,5. 2 years ago I planted boxwood from Chicago land. 5 did not ...
  A: Richard: Replacement following removal of the diseased plant is the best. Try to get out the entire ...
sticky leaves8/18/2009
  Q: Vann, I have a zebra plant for 3 years and recently it started losing leaves and I find a sticky ...
  A: Carolyn: Very nice plant you have! One of my favorites. The sticky stuff is probably "honeydew", ...
Japanese Red Maple8/18/2009
  Q: We have a 30+ years Japanese red maple that is absolutely beautiful. Yesterday, we found the bottom ...
  A: June: I'm not very sure on this one. If possible, can you send a photo in a separate email? Take a ...
Locust tree problem?8/17/2009
  Q: We have 3 honey locust trees in our backyard in New Haven County CT. I estimate them to be slightly ...
  A: Fran: The jelly stuff is probably a fungus that is strictly saphrophytic (growing on dead ...
White Birch8/17/2009
  Q: We live in MN and we have a White Birch that is loosing it's leaves and the limbs look dead on 1 ...
  A: Deb: This situation ("weeping") does sound like a normal reaction for birch when pruning is done. ...
Our flowering cherry tree has growths on the bottom of its leaves8/17/2009
  Q: My dad showed me his flowering cherry tree in our backyard. He said it has been there for 30 or more ...
  A: Joseph: These are leaf galls caused by a very small Eriophyid mite (not a true insect- it has 8 ...
boxwood die back8/16/2009
  Q: I live in Iowa on boarder of area 4,5. 2 years ago I planted boxwood from Chicago land. 5 did not ...
  A: Richard: Boxwood can develop a few root diseases, including a Phytophthora root rot that is assoc./ ...
Forsythia Disease?8/15/2009
  Q: I have 3 dwarf forsythia bushes. The leaves on the ends of the twigs have begun to curl up, turn ...
  A: J. These plants are pretty hardy. Unless the leaves are spotted, I would lean toward a potential ...
Japanese Maple dwarf size when bought.8/15/2009
  Q: We have had our Japanese Maple for 18 years and never had a problem. I have noticed in the last ...
  A: Pamela: Examine the trunk for any evidence of bark damage (chewing, string trimmer, holes in the ...
JonaGold Apple Disease8/15/2009
  Q: I have a Jonagold apple I planted a year ago. It seems to be growing very well - new growth this ...
  A: Rich; If leaves are curling w/o any discoloration- may indicate an insect or environmental stress. ...
split bark on magnolia tree8/15/2009
  Q: We have a 6' magnolia tree with a trunk diameter of about 2". The tree was moved about a year and a ...
  A: Marietta: Bark splitting and loss may indicate internal decay/disease activity that is usually a ...
willow tree dying8/15/2009
  Q: What would cause a willow tree that is about 15 ft to suddenly have leaves through the middle of the ...
  A: Silver: Be sure that the tree is getting adequate water- these trees usually like plenty of water, ...
Cherry Tree disease8/14/2009
  Q: Vann, I am a fellow expert (Water Quality, Home Improvement, North Carolina). I have 3 cherry trees ...
  A: Steve: This does indeed sounds like "shot hole" sometimes called Coryneum Blight, a disease of ...
Cleveland Pear leaves8/13/2009
  Q: We planted 3 6-8' Cleveland Select trees in the spring. We have had a very odd summer...cooler and ...
  A: Brandi: I agree, doesn't look like FB. That is the worse infectious disease we have here in this ...
Japanese Red Maple8/13/2009
  Q: Our 35 year old Red Japanese Maple doesn't have as many leaves as it once had and looks sparse. The ...
  A: Walter: I appeciate your comments. It is indeed very difficult and sometimes down right dangerous ...
Crepe Myrtle yellow leaves8/12/2009
  Q: I have a two year old Crepe Myrtle and the plant was healthy until about two weeks ago when I ...
  A: Irene: If those red/yellow leaves have some small black spots or blotches on them, then it may be a ...
Flowering Plum Tree Problems8/12/2009
  Q: I planted a flowering plum tree in a flower bed approx. 4 years ago. It has grown to be quite large ...
  A: Donna: Too much water can create an ideal environment for root rot. A well drained soil is ...
Sunset Red Maple problem8/11/2009
  Q: Our sunset maple is approximately 15 years old and we live in Central Ohio. The bark has vertical ...
  A: Julie: Sounds like your maple has a few issues. Can you send me a photo of a group of leaves that ...
krauter vesuvius flowering plum and diseases8/11/2009
  Q: We have a krauter vesuvius flowering plum and it appears to be dying. Leaves have an orange tint ...
  A: Gary: If the whole tree looks in trouble, check out the trunk area, especially in the area near the ...
trees dying from light green gray substance8/11/2009
  Q: I have two apple trees and one has not blossomed at the top of the tree, on the dead branches is a ...
  A: Jodi: Is this substance leafy or crusty-like and grows on the bark? If it is, it may be LICHENS. ...
my wondering jew houseplant8/11/2009
  Q: my wondering jew has brown spots all over the leaves what should i do?
  A: Debra: Wandering jew can have several things that can cause spots on the leaves. Things to think ...
Bradford pears8/11/2009
  Q: I have about 15 pears lining my driveway (about 6 feet from the ashpalt) - they were installed 2 ...
  A: Brett: Could be fire blight as you mentioned. This is a significant bacterial disease problem in ...
Ficus8/10/2009
  Q: All of the ficus hedges in my yard (3 separate groupings at least 15 or more feet apart) seem to ...
  A: Kerry: Can you take a closeup photo of these drops on a leaf? Be sure that you review the photo on ...
White Oak Disease8/9/2009
  Q: Many of the leaves on our white oak tree have yellow, yellow/pink fuzzy round balls on them. Are ...
  A: Debbie: These fuzzy balls are probably some type of a gall insect. Google "oak galls" and take a ...
Debra Maple8/9/2009
  Q: I have a Debra Maple that is about 10 years old. It has always been slow growing but a beautiful ...
  A: Kathy: Lichens do not cause disease, they merely grow on the surface of older trees and shrubs, ...
pecan tree unusual pealing8/9/2009
  Q: I have several Pecan trees in my back yard in Dallas Texas. One of the trees has bark pealing from ...
  A: Tim: That is a head scratcher for me also. What about a lightning strike? It usually runs down the ...
Lacebark Elm8/9/2009
  Q: We planted our lacebark elm tree 5 years ago. Something is wrong with it, and we don't know what!! ...
  A: Kym: Take a close look at the base of the trunk in the area of bark peeling and see if there has ...
problems with jasmin8/8/2009
  Q: Ilive in Spain and have a beautiful jasmin which I have had for years.Itis about six foot tall and ...
  A: Marilyn: Greetings from a far! So far you are my furtherest customer--CONGRATULATIONS!!! Browning ...
Magnolia Bush8/8/2009
  Q: Our Magnolia bush is about 10 years old and was doing well until this summer. There are white fuzzy ...
  A: Mary Ann: The black stuff is called "sooty mold" and is a result of insect presence and feeding. ...
Tree Fungus8/8/2009
  Q: I live in Staten Island, NY and have what I beleive is a Maple, that turns red in the fall. It is ...
  A: Greg: These gray and green crusty things are lichens--not disease causing organisms. We tend to see ...
yellow something growing in house plant pot8/8/2009
  Q: I have a hmm, philadanderem (mispelled badly) and I just noticed there is a bright yellow something ...
  A: Cheryl: There are a myriad of fungi that can grow in soils that are rich in organic matter and do ...
foxtail palm dying8/7/2009
  Q: I have a foxtail palm we planted 1 year ago. It is currently about 15' tall. About 4 weeks ago, ...
  A: Dawn: This shrinking area may be an indication of a serious problem- possible a terminal condition. ...
OLD cherry tree rotting?8/7/2009
  Q: We have a GORGEOUS old tree by the house..beautiful pink blossoms in the spring....told it was some ...
  A: Susan: This tree may have some level of decay inside. It may be in the main stem or in some of the ...
Pin Oak Disease8/7/2009
  Q: I have a large mature pin oak that is draining a sticky sometimes frothy white secretion around ...
  A: Lynn: This situation does sound like the bacterial disease called Slime Flux or Bacterial Wetwood. ...
Ivy disease8/7/2009
  Q: Not sure if this is a question that comes under your category of expertise. But if your have any ...
  A: Christine: Greeting from Arkansas! Very nice ivy! Sometimes called variegated Persian Ivy. Leaf ...
Cleveland Pear Trees8/7/2009
  Q: Our community planted Cleveland Pear trees along our streets about 5 years ago. On my property I ...
  A: Vic: In Arkansas, we are currently seeing many ornamental pears (Callery) defoliate after the leaves ...
disfigured Gartenmeister Bonstedt Fuschia leaves8/6/2009
  Q: I've grown Gartenmeister Bonstedt Fuschias for years, both overwintered and purchased from a ...
  A: Maura: I strongly suspect that something is happening to the leaf as it begins to open and ...
tree fungus8/6/2009
  Q: The tree in question is a sugar maple there are light free flower shaped fungus on the trunk of the ...
  A: Dan: If this "mushroom" is clearly growing from the trunk or roots, this may indicate some level of ...
disfigured Gartenmeister Bonstedt Fuschia leaves8/6/2009
  Q: I've grown Gartenmeister Bonstedt Fuschias for years, both overwintered and purchased from a ...
  A: Maura: Holes in the leaf are good indicators of insect feeding. Do you think that both problems ...
dwarf lime tree8/6/2009
  Q: i have a dwarf lime tree,and at the ends of the branch the end leaves have squigally lines on them. ...
  A: Valerie: Check out images on "Google for "Leafminer". The immature insect burrows between the ...
carrotwood tree8/5/2009
  Q: I have 3 carrotwoods in my back yard around a pool in southern CA. They all seem to be losing ...
  A: Kief: Trees can lose their leaves for several reasons- sometimes related to root stress e.g. ...
Aspen Tree Burrowing Insect Identification8/4/2009
  Q: I need to identify this insect that keeps burrowing into my aspen trees leaving behind holes in the ...
  A: Waleska: Best to collect a few of these "critters" in a jar or bottle and drop in to your local ...
Blue Rug Wiltoni Juniper?8/4/2009
  Q: i have these and ones that are taller junipers, and i have a BAD odor around the front porch where ...
  A: Kim: An ammonia-like smell may help w/clues. Sometimes urine (not mine-ha-ha)can actually "burn" the ...
Tulip Poplar8/4/2009
  Q: 15 year old tree leaves are turning yellow and some brown with veins turning black. Tree is ...
  A: Vicky: Unfortunately, no band-aid available. Those pruning paints that are sold to brush or spray on ...
Crab apple tree8/4/2009
  Q: I have 3 crabapple trees and all have lost the majority of their leaves to something that has eaten ...
  A: Anne: Bugs aren't my best suit, but it would be best to try to find some of these critters, get them ...
Tulip Poplar8/4/2009
  Q: 15 year old tree leaves are turning yellow and some brown with veins turning black. Tree is ...
  A: Vicky: One of my favorite trees too! They are quite plentiful here in Arkansas. I know, at least ...
irregular, curly, distorted growth8/3/2009
  Q: I am a professional gardener in central California and I'd like to try to describe a phenomenon that ...
  A: Lesley: Several things can cause these distortions including the microorganisms such as viruses, ...
japanese Maple disease8/3/2009
  Q: I have Bonfire Japanese Maple that is about 3 years old. Suddenly entire branches are dead or ...
  A: Kerry: The black color may be the result rather than the cause created by the apparant decay ...
Live Oak disease?8/3/2009
  Q: My parents have an oak tree that developed a small split in the base of the trunk and has ...
  A: Matthew: I lived in Fort Myers for about 6 yrs and I can tell you all about the lightning! It can do ...
Willow Tree=follow-up info8/3/2009
  Q: I have what seems to be a cocoon in every tree branch of my willow with the other leaves nibbled ...
  A: Dona: I am not sure how big your willow tree is. I doubt if these insect will have a major impact ...
japanese Maple disease8/3/2009
  Q: I have Bonfire Japanese Maple that is about 3 years old. Suddenly entire branches are dead or ...
  A: Kerry: Is this whitish stuff appear as a "fuzzy" covering? and is it near the soil line? If ...
Japanese Bloodgood Mapletree8/2/2009
  Q: I have a damaged Bloodgood Japanese Maple. This tree was hit by a commercial truck. The tree has no ...
  A: Ron: Someone really needs an "in-person" view of the tree plus an evaluation of the site and ...
plants dying8/2/2009
  Q: In a section of my flower bed there is something killing my azalea bush and adjacent to it my Texas ...
  A: Julie: It would be impossible to determine the "cause of death" without more information and ...
japanese Maple disease8/2/2009
  Q: I have Bonfire Japanese Maple that is about 3 years old. Suddenly entire branches are dead or ...
  A: Kerry: Symptoms of drought stress are usually not "sudden", usually a gradual process- beginning ...
peach trees8/1/2009
  Q: My first peach tree was given to me two years ago. I planted it with the help from a master gardener ...
  A: Mrs t: If it leafed out good and leaves looked good and you don't see any evidence of damage to the ...
oak tree disease8/1/2009
  Q: My oak tree has been shedding leaves throughout the spring and summer. Almost all the leaves have ...
  A: Bill: The spots may be a disease called anthracnose, but someone would need to see them to be sure. ...
corkscrew willow disease8/1/2009
  Q: I have a corkscrew willow which has black spots on the leaves. What's the remedy?
  A: Fletcher: If it is a big tree, best to maintain good fertility (based on recent soil test) and ...
Potted Plant Problem8/1/2009
  Q: I noticed that one of my potted house plants had white spheres that were growing on the roots and ...
  A: Luke: Not sure about this one either. Suggest clipping off a small root w/ these spheres on it and ...
tiny green bug possibly eating mango houseplant leaf7/31/2009
  Q: i have a couple of 2 month old mango houseplants that look like somethings's eating some leaf... i ...
  A: Stefano: I would feel better if you used a soap designed for plant use such as SAFER BRAND ...
tiny green bug possibly eating mango houseplant leaf7/31/2009
  Q: i have a couple of 2 month old mango houseplants that look like somethings's eating some leaf... i ...
  A: Stephano: This critter photo favors a leafhopper, however, these insects make thier living by ...
loquat diseases7/30/2009
  Q: We have a 4 year old loquat tree whos leaves have suddenly started turning yellow and then brown and ...
  A: Karen: This is a hard one! Several possibilities. It would be best to contact your local ...
Sago Palm7/30/2009
  Q: Good day Dr. We were the king and queen of the Sago Palm to our neighbors until just days ago. ...
  A: Chuck: If the plant went south as quick as you say, I might think more toward a soil related stress- ...
pear tree dying7/30/2009
  Q: 1 have a cleveland pear tree, that the leaves are dead, don't know what to do with it, last year it ...
  A: Norma: In my area many of the ornamental pears look like they are getting into the fall-- purple/red ...
Victoria plum tree disease7/29/2009
  Q: When the fruit is well formed , a scale appears on some fruit, also a drop, or two, of gelatinous ...
  A: Richard: The liquid may indicate a boring type of insect such as the Plum Curculio. Google this ...
crepe myrtle7/29/2009
  Q: My crepe myrtles were recently (about 5 weeks) planted have yellow leaves on the lower portions of ...
  A: Sheryl: Possible transplant shock (e.g. haven't fully acclimated to new surroundings). Best time ...
Japanese Red Maple7/29/2009
  Q: Our 35 year old Red Japanese Maple doesn't have as many leaves as it once had and looks sparse. The ...
  A: Walter: Sounds like you have gotten a lot of enjoyment from the tree. They are indeed one of my ...
sick leucothoe7/28/2009
  Q: I saw your email on a website as I was looking for solutions to our coast leucothoe problem. We ...
  A: Carol: Possible Powdery Mildew, a fungus disease that affects many plants. Resembles baby powder ...
Aristocrat pear trees7/28/2009
  Q: I planted 4 Aristocrat trees in my front yard, and 1 of them has leaves that look like its fall and ...
  A: Steve: If I am picturing your trees as you describe, this phenomena has been occuring on the ...
Mission Fig Tree7/28/2009
  Q: Vann: I live in southern San Diego County and have 3 fig trees, 2 of them are some sort of greenish ...
  A: Marcia: Best to start with a soil test. Contact you local county Extension office for instructions. ...
golden raintree7/28/2009
  Q: quick browning of lantern shaped pods, sporatitic yellowing of leaves and defoliation of tree. ...
  A: Richard: Pythium is often associated with saturated soils/lots of water in the soil profile. You ...
kwanzan cherry and weeping cherry7/28/2009
  Q: I have attached pictures of my kwanzan cherry and weeping cherry. I don't know what's wrong with ...
  A: Tom: Scale insects make their living by sucking out plant juices. They can be important on many ...
Ginko Tree7/27/2009
  Q: My Ginko Tree has the leaves brown I don't know if is too much water, is usually watered every 3 ...
  A: Guillermo: I'd probably hold off on the water for a bit. There is no magic formula for what is ...
mugo pine, branches turned black7/27/2009
  Q: I have 2 dwarf mugo pines, both are exposed to the same elements and light. One of them all the ...
  A: Janet: The black material may be sooty mold, which is a fungus growing on honeydew (insect poop). ...
crepe myrtle disease7/26/2009
  Q: We have a six year old crepe myrtle which is showing black spots on the leaves. A few leaves have ...
  A: Karla: This black spot may be a leaf disease called Cercospora Leaf spot. Google this to see if it ...
magnolia tree disease / insect7/26/2009
  Q: I saw a similar question about white blotches on the stems of a magnolia tree in PA. You mentioned ...
  A: Karen: The white "bumps" on the wood looks like a type of scale insect. On the leaf- possible ...
Weeping Cherry Tree7/26/2009
  Q: I live on Long Island, NY and I have a weeping cherry tree that was planted last summer. It was ...
  A: Jennifer: The "sap" exudation results from wounding- often from insect invasion into the wood ...
kwanzan cherry and weeping cherry7/26/2009
  Q: I have attached pictures of my kwanzan cherry and weeping cherry. I don't know what's wrong with ...
  A: Tom: The resin flow that I see in the photo results from a wound in the wood-often from an insect ...
Wisteria Mature robust flowering 20097/25/2009
  Q: Our 15 year old Wisteria Vine had a hearty bloom in 2009. On July 21st it seemed fine. On the 22nd ...
  A: Peter: I suppose the content(s) , especially if beach or a soapy solution might result in this. I ...
Hibiscus plants7/25/2009
  Q: The flowers do not develop. What is this disease and how do I treat it with a natural product? ...
  A: Eleanor. More than likely this is possibly an insect such as a wooly aphid or scale insect. If ...
Weeping willow fungus attack7/25/2009
  Q: I have a weeping willow that has been infected with black canker disease. The tree company that ...
  A: Nats: It sounds like a disease that we see here. In my area,it causes the ends of the small ...
Wisteria Mature robust flowering 20097/24/2009
  Q: Our 15 year old Wisteria Vine had a hearty bloom in 2009. On July 21st it seemed fine. On the 22nd ...
  A: Peter: If it was literally fine one day and dying the next, I would not expect an infectious disease ...
maple tree7/24/2009
  Q: I have a crimson maple tree that has developed a "crack" in the bark of the tree at the trunk. Is ...
  A: Roger: Cracks can be caused by several things including insect entrance,wounds and freeze/sunburn ...
rosemary web disease7/23/2009
  Q: I have had 4 rosemary plants both planted and potted in various locations in the yard become ...
  A: Natalie: Thanks for your plant question. I love rosemary by the way! I suspect the webbing may be ...
cherry blossom tree Kanzan7/23/2009
  Q: My tree was damaged in a recent storm and a branch split off, but inside was some white spleckly goo ...
  A: Victoria: There indeed might be some level of decay within. The wood usually gets soft/mushy. ...
Yucca problem7/23/2009
  Q: I have 2 yuccas that I inherited when I moved into my new home 5 years ago. They were both doing ...
  A: Jackie; I was unable to see an image attached to you message- sorry. You had mentioned weather- ...
Have found small (less than a 1/4") gray in color7/22/2009
  Q: We have a 10 year old Bradford Pear tree, and noticed holes in the trees trunk, these holes are less ...
  A: James: These small holes may indicated the presence of an insect borer that can tunnel into the ...
Yucca problem7/22/2009
  Q: I have 2 yuccas that I inherited when I moved into my new home 5 years ago. They were both doing ...
  A: Jackie: Thanks for your inquiry. Would it be possible to email me a photo? Just a photo of most of ...
Maple trees7/21/2009
  Q: I have two maple trees in my yard. The leaves are falling off like it is fall. I noticed the ...
  A: Cindy: I didn't realize that you can attach only one photo to your message- The holes definitely ...
Chanticleer Pear Fungus7/21/2009
  Q: I have 7 Chantilcleer Pear trees that each year blossom beautifully in the spring with lots of new ...
  A: Candice: I don't think the neighbors tree is a factor. Can you send me a photo as an email ...
Raised Red Spots on Maple Leaves7/20/2009
  Q: I have a young autumn blaze maple with thousands of raised red spots covering the leaves. They are ...
  A: This may be a gall insect rather than a disease. I am not aware of it having a significant impact ...
Maple trees7/20/2009
  Q: I have two maple trees in my yard. The leaves are falling off like it is fall. I noticed the ...
  A: If this is an established tree (not a newly planted), I do not think the holes in the leaves are ...
Pittosporum verigated (sp)7/20/2009
  Q: I live in Sydney, Australia and my two pittosporum trees have borer. I have painted rogor around the ...
  A: Shirley: Suggest sending your question to an entomologist, a person who has a great deal more ...
Yaupon Bush7/20/2009
  Q: I have a yaupon bush that has two branches and I have cut these to look like balls. One branch is ...
  A: Gene: These plants are quite hardy in your area. I suspect that there is something wrong with just ...
maple tree leaf7/20/2009
  Q: One of my mother -in -law's maple tree (in mn)has slightly raised red bumps on the back side of all ...
  A: Larry: Not sure, but these bumps may be an insect. If the tree is well established and looks good, I ...
Wisconsin Oak Tree (White)7/19/2009
  Q: For the past few years my oak grows leaves which appear normal. Then later in the spring and ...
  A: Mary: These leaf symptoms indicate a potential root dysfunction -possible contact or uptake of an ...
magnolia tree7/19/2009
  Q: My magnolia tree has white, raised, ovals all over its branches and stems. The ovals appear fuzzy, ...
  A: Jennifer: Possible insect since a goo comes out. Best to get someone with some bug knowledge to see ...
boxwood leafminer problem7/19/2009
  Q: Vann, I hope you can help save my boxwoods from leafminers :-) Some of the leaves on my boxwoods ...
  A: Deb: Initially, the immature(larvae) tunnel in between the upper and lower epidermis of the leaf ...
Meyers lemon tree7/18/2009
  Q: I have a Meyers lemon tree in a pot that I have had for four years. It produced its first lemon ...
  A: Renee: The stick stuff is called "honeydew" and is the result of an insect infestation. Aphids are ...
Weeping Holly7/18/2009
  Q: I have a weeping holly that is 8 to 10 years old. Last year many of the leaves curled tightly ...
  A: Mary Lou: Sorry, but bugs are not best best asset! I suggest carrying a few of the affected leaves ...
Crape Myrtle Disease7/18/2009
  Q: I have a very old crape myrtle which has a sticky residue over the entire plant with a few what ...
  A: Greta: This sticky/shiny stuff is called honeydew and is insect "poop". Aphids and a few other ...
aphids7/18/2009
  Q: Vann, I think I have a serious case of aphid infestation. I haven't noticed any plants dying(yet) ...
  A: Deb: The sticky/shiny stuff is honeydew or insect "poop". Aphids are notorious for producing this ...
boxwood leafminer problem7/18/2009
  Q: Vann, I hope you can help save my boxwoods from leafminers :-) Some of the leaves on my boxwoods ...
  A: Deb: Usually leafminers don't have much of an impact on the overall health of the plant. You may ...
stewartia pseudocamellia7/17/2009
  Q: I have a ten foot stewartia I planted this passed spring. It receives all morning sun and couple ...
  A: Steve: Check buds for thrips (tiny insects-1-2mm and they are fast moving too). These insect can ...
Elm tree bark peeling7/17/2009
  Q: I have a young Elm tree that was planted approximately 3 months ago. The bark has begun peeling on ...
  A: Laura: Not sure about this one. The sap leaking may indicate an insect that has gotten into the ...
Cucumber Problems7/17/2009
  Q: Dr. Vann, We have been having white/brown spots on our cucumber plant leaves for the last two years. ...
  A: David: I would be very suspicious of a plant disease- probably a disease called Target spot or a ...
Crype Myrtle disease7/17/2009
  Q: I have a black powder all over my crype myrtle. It also has things that look like aphids all over ...
  A: Ginger: This black stuff is probably sooty mold. See if it wipes off the leaf with a wet finger or ...
Green Layer on my Maple Trees7/16/2009
  Q: I have two Maples in my front yard. One is a Red and the other Green. They recently were trimmed ...
  A: Summer: The extra light probably stimulated the growth of these organisms--may be lichens ...
pine tree7/16/2009
  Q: Can you tell by the photo what could be going on with this tree? We have many others on our property ...
  A: Karen: Thanks for attaching a photo- helps more than you think. From your image, I do not recognize ...
Wisteria collapse7/16/2009
  Q: Some three years ago we planted two plants of wisteria sinensis, in the very south of Sweden. They ...
  A: Martin: From your description, this plant went from healthy to "graveyard dead" literally overnight. ...
Maple tree7/15/2009
  Q: I planted a seed of maple tree, it germinated but now the leafs are withering, what can I do?
  A: Conchita: Unfortunately, this condition may be terminal especially since the plant may be in a ...
birch tree deease7/14/2009
  Q: My birch tree has a white powdering on some of the leaves. How can I identify what it is and what ...
  A: Joseph: Thanks for your inquiry. If the white powdery substance looks like a light dusting of baby ...
dogwood7/14/2009
  Q: i have a 3 foot dogwood that the leaves are turning black and falling off and bark coming loose at ...
  A: shonda: Loose bark near the base of the tree may indicate insect borers that are notorious on DW ...
crepe Myrtle insects7/14/2009
  Q: We have bugs that are drilling little holes right where the blooms should sprout from the base- and ...
  A: Lyn: Thanks for your inquiry. Holes may indicate a potential beetle infestation. Stop by your local ...
maple tree7/13/2009
  Q: i have two maple trees in my back yard, both are about 20ft tall. i live in NC. i noticed this ...
  A: Bob: From your description, there may a couple of things causing this- difficult to say w/o seeing ...
maple tree bark and leaf white spots7/13/2009
  Q: a young maple tree has bark peeling off from the base and leaves have white spot . Worried it may be ...
  A: DEB; Presence of the ants in the tree is probably after the fact- most likely not the cause, they ...
maple tree bark and leaf white spots7/13/2009
  Q: a young maple tree has bark peeling off from the base and leaves have white spot . Worried it may be ...
  A: DEB: Bark peeling may indicate an underlying problem such as decay within the tree. Check to see if ...
Wisconsin Oak Tree (White)7/11/2009
  Q: For the past few years my oak grows leaves which appear normal. Then later in the spring and ...
  A: Mary: Could you send one or two digital photos of the leaves and the overall tree? I may have a ...
chanticleer pear tree7/11/2009
  Q: I noticed that my pear tree didn't seem as full of leaves this year as it usually does. I am now ...
  A: Nancy: If this "callery" or ornamental pear is like our "Bradford" pear here in Arkansas, the cause ...
Gingo Tree with black developing on leaves7/11/2009
  Q: I have a young gingo tree and some type black fungus is developing on the leaves. It's possibly ...
  A: Dewey: If this black covering rubs off with a wet paper towel or wet finger, then it is sooty mold. ...
indoor ficus tree7/11/2009
  Q: My ficus tree has been loosing leaves lately. On inspection of the plant, I noticed small, white ...
  A: Julie: These dots may be a type of insect such as scale. These "critters" make their living by ...
apricot tree7/10/2009
  Q: I live in wi. this is my first apricot tree about 4-5 years old, can you take a look at the pictures ...
  A: Tracy: This resin flow can be an indication of insect feeding. A suitable insecticide may be ...
Brown patches in rosemary7/10/2009
  Q: I've read your website about the brown, dead patches in rosemary. Our plants are only two years ...
  A: Michaela: Thanks for your question about Rosemary. Assuming this is an infectious plant disease ...

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