Filtering by tag: plant health ✕

cracked bark on a maple tree caused by either frost or sun scald

Plant Health Alert - Splits and Cracks in Bark

Bark splitting on trees and shrubs can be caused by several things. Physical damage such as extreme wind or damage from mishandling or rough treatment by people can stress and crack bark. Splits can…

Japanese maple cold damage

Protecting Plants During Cold Weather

Cold injury, the damage caused by freezing temperatures, can occur on fruit, stems, leaves, trunk and roots. Water inside these plant parts can freeze and expand, tearing cell walls causing them to…

tree planted too deep girdling root

Plant Health Alert - Excavate Root Collars to Save Trees

Most tree health issues can be traced to a LSREP...Lower Stem Root or Environmental Problem. LSREPs can be physical root damage, trunk damage, root diseases, etc. Always these tree issues are a…

bacterial leaf spot on hydrangea

Pest Alert: Bacterial Leaf Spot

Bacterial leaf spot and fungal leaf spot diagnosis can sometimes be difficult. Bacterial leaf spot symptoms typically have a more angular appearance than fungal leaf spot, with the spots bounded…

powdery mildew on crape myrtle

Pest Alert: Powdery Mildew on Dogwoods and Crape Myrtles

Powdery mildew is a common fungus of dogwoods and crape myrtles. Often appearing in July, the fungus appears as a white dust on the leaves of affected plants. Leaf curling may be observed as well.You…

lichen on azalea

Pest Alert - Lichens Are Harmless to Trees

Gray crusty organisms growing on trees and shrubs can be a concern for home gardeners. Luckily, lichens are harmless to plants. A lichen is not a single organism, but the result of a partnership…

junipers on a hill

Plant Health Alert - Juniper Issues

Conifers are plants that have needles and cones instead of leaves. Conifers need special care and take extra effort to grow. A gardener must improve the soil before planting, provide adequate…

browning needles in cypress tree

Plant Health Alert - Browning Needles in Conifers

Browning needles in the interior of conifers is a natural part of the tree getting larger and older. Conifers such as pine, cypress, cedar and arborvitae start out as young Christmas tree shaped…