Question
I just dug up a holly bush that I'm pretty sure had a fungal disease - 90% of the leaves and branches were dead and the top leaves were starting to get a black powder on them. I dug up the plant, but there's still some remaining powder on the porch/lattice that it was planted near. I know I should remove and destroy all the dead leaves but what should I do about the black powder? I want to make sure I do the right thing since I plan on planting a new bush there soon and don't want it to get the disease. And do I need to do anything to the soil around it?
Thanks!

Answer
Hi,Krista                                                          How r u doing?What happened 2 your holly shrub is got a insect  called cotton scale on underneath of the leaf which is white n looks likes cotton.What the black sooty mold on the leaf is excrement of the scale bug that falls on top of leaves and causes the blk mold.Dont be afraid 2 replant a holly in its place if u wish just check the new plant from time to time the underneath of leaves for white scale.U can treat this with a hort soap or oil from your garden center.The mold that is left is no problen to new plant and all scales r with other plant n r not waitin 4 new plant.GOOD LUCK!!!!