Signs of a dying tree can include trunk damage, bare branches, damaged roots and fungus. If you have a tree in question, check for vertical cracks in the tree’s trunk and areas where bark has fallen off and not grown back -- exposed areas of smooth wood can indicate there’s something wrong. Bare branches on one side of the tree or no leaves (during a season when the tree should be full of leaves) is a dead giveaway that your tree is stressed and in decline. Have you ever seen small branches Continue Reading
WITCHES’ BROOM WILL GET YOUR PRETTY SHRUBS AND TREES IF YOU DON’T WATCH FOR FUNGUS.
Q: I have an issue that’s been haunting me all summer long. We have these things that look like elongated air plants on our bottlebrush tree, but my neighbor says they’re called Witches’ Brooms and that I don’t stand a ghost of a chance getting rid of them. She’s kidding, right? A: No, she’s not, but don’t let that frighten you. Knowledge is power! Witches’ Broom is a nickname for Sphaeropsis gall, which is a fungal ailment affecting numerous woody shrubs and trees including citrus, hawthorn, Continue Reading
DON’T LET FUNGUS HAVE A FIELD DAY WITH YOUR INDIAN HAWTHORN.
Q: My once brilliantly green and thriving Indian hawthorn now has yellowed foliage marred with brown mottling and spots. What is this and how should I treat it? A: Your Indian hawthorn has Entomosporium, or fungal leaf spot. It’s a common problem during our frequent summer rains, exacerbated by high humidity and damp conditions. In Indian hawthorn, fungus often first appears as a yellowing of the leaves followed by visible spots. These spots may be small, large, few or many, and occasionally Continue Reading
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR YARD’S MUSHROOMS ARE OUT OF CONTROL?
Q: Mushrooms are taking over my yard and popping up in my landscape beds. How do I get rid of these freaky fungi? They’re stressing me out. A: There are thousands of varieties, shapes, sizes, textures and colors to explore. Select your favorites, group them as you please, and don’t go overboard on adding supplemental water. Yard mushrooms typically aren’t harmful, but that doesn’t mean you should start mixing them with your salads or let your pets eat them. But don’t stress out; you have Continue Reading
