Question
I have a 6 foot ficus tree that has been slowly dying for awhile now a branch at a time, with no apparent symptoms.  I just noticed a 6 inch vertical scar on the trunk and a yellow/brown round protrusion growing out of the scar.  Not sure what this poor tree has, but it won't be around much longer at this rate, is this yellow "thing" a sign that it has a fungus?  How do I treat it, it appears to be systemic.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Karen

Answer
Karen,

I do not have any experience with this problem and you have not said where you live? The yellow brown protrusion could be a fungal growth or it could be what is left of an insect larva. If you can locate your county extension office I would remove the growth and take it there to get it identified and ask their suggestion for treatment.

If you cannot then I would go to a garden center and look for a systemic insecticide/fungicide that you can sprinkle on top of the soil then water and the plant will take it up. That may save the plant. I cannot tell you the name of the product because I generally use organic products indoors. In fact, if I were going to use a systemic I would move the plant outdoors into a shady area first and leave it outdoors while being treated.

If moving it outdoors is not an option I would get Neem oil (available at Lowes) which is an organic product from the South American Neem Tree that has both insecticidal and fungicidal properties and mix it according to package instructions then spray the tree twice a week for 3 weeks then once a week for 6 more weeks making sure you get the tops and bottoms of all leaves and the trunk and soil surface well. Good luck at whichever plan of action you decide to go with.

Darlene