Quaking Aspen Canker and Borer Damage in Oregon

The canker-like growth with bore holes and insects on your 11-year-old quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) indicates a canker disease complicated by borer infestation. Common aspens cankers in the West include Cytospora,

Sunset Maple Decline After Root Damage

The premature browning and leaf drop on your Sunset maple (Acer rubrum Sunset) is almost certainly a delayed response to root damage from nearby digging last year. Maples are highly sensitive to root disturbance. Root–S

Fall Webworms: Harmless Late-Season Webbing on Trees

The webs enclosing branch tips in late summer are fall webworms (Hyphantria cunea), not tent caterpillars (which appear in spring). Theyre common on many deciduous trees—walnut, hickory, cherry, maple, oak, and more. Wh

Black Bark on Ornamental Pear: Possible Fungal Canker

The progression you describe—leaf shriveling, bark turning black and separating, now appearing on a second tree—strongly suggests a fungal canker disease, possibly Botryosphaeria canker or Phytophthora collar rot. Both a

Why Oregon Grape Holly Berries Shrivel and Drop

Your 9-foot holly with blue berries is almost certainly Oregon grape holly (Mahonia aquifolium), not a true holly (Ilex). True hollies have red/orange berries; Oregon grape produces blue-black fruit. Cause of Berry Drop

Clematis Pruning Guide: When and How to Cut Back Your Vine

Pruning clematis depends entirely on when it blooms, which determines whether it flowers on old wood, new wood, or both. Since you dont know your variety, observe it for a full season to categorize it. The Three Pruning

Why Your Bonsai Sago Palm Has Spindly New Growth

Your sago palm (Cycas revoluta) is exhibiting classic etiolation—long, weak, pale leaves stretching for light. This isnt a pot-size issue; its a light issue. Whats Happening Sago palms need bright, direct sunlight (4–6

Bagworm Infestation on Pine Trees: Identification and Control

The cocoons made from dead needles with worms emerging are bagworms (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis). These caterpillars construct spindle-shaped bags from silk and plant debris, carrying them as they feed. They attack ma

Solving Cotoneaster Webbing and Dieback: Webworms vs. Spider Mites

Brown, dead branches covered in thick webbing on established cotoneaster suggest two likely culprits: cotoneaster webworm or spider mites. Accurate identification is crucial because treatments differ. Cotoneaster Webwor

Diagnosing and Treating Cedar-Apple Rust on Apple Trees

The symptoms you describe—yellow-brown leaf spots with powdery brown clusters on the undersides, plus spotted, rotting fruit—are classic signs of cedar-apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae). This fungal disea

Managing Scale Insects on Japanese Holly Shrubs

Scale insects are a common and persistent pest on Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) and other hollies. These tiny, immobile insects attach themselves to stems and the undersides of leaves, where they feed by piercing plant t

Borer Beetles in Weeping Willow: Trunk Spraying and Larval Excavation

Situation 3 weeping willows (Cincinnati). One: borer holes (dark spots 1–1.5) in bark. Tree healthy, watered. Treatment Spray trunk with borer-specific insecticide (local nursery). Repeat weekly. Mechanical: Use knife

Fall Webworms in Your Tree: Web Removal and When to Spray

Identification Thick cobwebs with leaf nests on branches (N. GA) = Fall webworm. Caterpillars rarely threaten tree health; mostly unsightly. Control Options Mechanical: Knock webs down with long pole (bamboo). Spray: I

White Worms in Your Trees: Grubs, Caterpillars, or Something Else?

Differentiation Beetle grubs: Boring holes in branches/trunk. Caterpillars (moth/butterfly larvae): Chewing foliage. Control Small tree: Spray Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) on foliage. Large tree: Hard to treat; often

Eliminating Carrotwood Suckers: Cut-and-Paint Glyphosate Method

Why Suckers Persist Roots stay alive after trunk removal. Suckers sprout up to 10 ft away. Cutting alone works eventually but takes years. Accelerated Method Cut sucker. Immediately brush full-strength glyphosate (Roun

Mushrooms Around Your Aspen? It's Fairy Rings, Not Tree Disease

What Youre Seeing Mushrooms around one aspen, growing from roots. Other aspen clean. Sprinkler system in lawn. Explanation Fairy rings = fruiting bodies of decay fungi decomposing grass thatch. Favored by irrigation (co

Pecan Tree Dripping Sticky Honeydew? Aphid Control for a Clean Driveway

Source 12-yr-old pecan in S. Greece driveway. Sticky honeydew on cars in summer = aphids. Contact Insecticides (Foliar) acephate, bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, diazinon, malathion, permethrin, pyrethrum, etc. Ro

Don't Spray Trees—Spray the Pests: Targeted Insect Control for Fruit and Shade Trees

Core Principle You dont spray trees; you spray insects on trees. Each insect has unique biology, life cycle, and vulnerability. No one spray fits all. IPM Approach Identify the specific pest. Select insecticide targete

Black Powder on Crepe Myrtles? It's Sooty Mold from Aphids—Here's the Fix

Diagnosis Central LA, clay soil. Black powdery substance, wilty leaves, webs with tiny insects. = Sooty mold growing on aphid honeydew. Webs likely spider mites or other. Solution Target aphids, not fungus. Fungicide d

Phyllosticta Leaf Spot on Maple: The 'Lunar Eclipse' Fungus

Identification SE Michigan, large maple. Majority of leaves: large round black spots with yellow halos (lunar eclipses). = Phyllosticta leaf spot (Phyllosticta minima). Impact Late-season infection → minimal damage, pos