Question
Hello Jim,
 I live in southern California. I have a ornamental plum tree that has died. the tree started getting deep cracks in the main limbs. I thought the cause could be a broken water pipe, but when I started digging the pipe up I found a lot of huge cream colored maggots about 2 1/2 inches long. I have been told they could be root boring Beatles. How can I get rid of these nasty little things? We want to put another tree in but don't know what kind. We want a fast growing shade tree that these critters won't attack. What trees would you recommend?

Answer
The "maggots" are white grubs--the larvae form of a beetle. The grubs feed on roots mainly of grass but can feed on a trees small roots. They do not bore into the roots.  They will not cause a tree to die. So any tree planted back the grubs will not be a concern.

The species of tree will depend on the size of the space you are planting in and the height of the mature tree. Also if you want spring flowers, fall color or just shade. I would suggest you go to a tree nursery and tell them your growing conditions-space etc, and they can help pick the right tree for your conditions.

When you get the tree dig the hole twice the size of the root ball and as deep, fill the excess with good potting soil , mulch around the planted tree with not more than 3 inches of organic mulch and water good. For the first couple of weeks water every other day if it does not rain and then water weekly. Do not fertilize the tree for the first year.