Category: Tree and Shrub Problems

Garden Pests, Tree and Shrub Problems

Honey Locust Plant Bug Damage And Control

Several Honey Locust trees here in Southern Ontario have been the target of small green bugs that have been distorting honey locust leaves and, in some cases, partially defoliating these trees. The main culprit has been the honey locust plant bug (Diaphnocoris Chlorionis). The honey locust plant bug (Diaphnocoris chlorionis) are approximately 3mm (1/8 inch) long when full grown and light green in colour. They pierce leaf … Continue reading Honey Locust Plant Bug Damage And Control

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Tree and Shrub Problems

Red Bark Phenomenon

Red Bark Phenomenon is a fairly new occurrence here in North America. Scientists, horticulturalists and the like have been scrambling to learn more about this phenomenon as more and more trees are becoming affected. What they have learned so far is that the reddening of the bark is caused by a microscopic, filamentous green algae (Chlorophyta), that is believed to belong to the genus Trentepohlia. The … Continue reading Red Bark Phenomenon

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Garden Pests, Tree and Shrub Problems

Boxwood Leaf Miners

Boxwood leafminers (Monoarthropalpus flavus syn. Monarthropalpus buxi) are orangish gnat like flies that are a major pest of boxwood. Their larvae, which are small worm like maggots, feed inside of boxwood leaves causing blisters and puckering on the backside of the leaf and brown blotching on the upper surface. Premature defoliation of infected leaves occurs. In large numbers they can cause extensive and unsightly damage even … Continue reading Boxwood Leaf Miners

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Garden Diseases, Tree and Shrub Problems

Japanese Maple Problems…Coral Spot Nectria Canker

What is Coral Spot Nectria Canker? Coral Spot Nectria Canker is a fungal disease caused by the fungus Nectria cinnabarina. These opportunistic fungi typically attack trees and shrubs that have been weakened by stress or injuries like mechanical injury, storm damage, insect feeding, animal damage, pruning, disease, frost cracks, cold injury or drought damage. Once the fungi gain entry to the plant they cause the … Continue reading Japanese Maple Problems…Coral Spot Nectria Canker

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Garden Diseases, Tree and Shrub Problems

Botryosphaeria Canker of Red Twig Dogwood

Red twig dogwood species consisting of Cornus sericea, Cornus alba and Cornus sanguinea are prone to several fungal diseases and their coresponding fungi including powdery mildew (Erysiphe pulchra), dogwood anthracnose (Discula destructiva), leaf spot (Cercospora cornicola and Septoria) and Botryosphaeria canker (Botryosphaeria dothidea). Of these fungal diseases, Botryosphaeria canker and dogwood anthracnose are both capable of producing cankers on the stems of dogwood. To tell … Continue reading Botryosphaeria Canker of Red Twig Dogwood

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Garden Diseases, Tree and Shrub Problems

Crown Gall on Euonymus

Galls are abnormal growths that can appear on roots, stems, trunks or leaves. There are many woody plants that get galls and there are several different gall makers (causes for the gall formation); insects, mites, bacteria, fungi, or nematodes. The galls formed are unique to the gall maker and the genus or species it feeds on. For crown gall the disease is caused by a … Continue reading Crown Gall on Euonymus

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Garden Pests, Tree and Shrub Problems

Pine Needle Scale: Identification, Life Cycle and Control

Pine needle scale (Chionaspis pinifoliae) are very small, white, stationary insects found on the needles of pine (primarily ponderosa, Mugo and scotch), spruce and occasionally, balsam fir, hemlock, and yew. They feed by inserting their stylet into the needles and sucking the juices out. This causes spotting to the branches. Badly infested trees may have a greyish appearance with needle loss. Left uncontrolled whole branches … Continue reading Pine Needle Scale: Identification, Life Cycle and Control

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Garden Pests, Tree and Shrub Problems

Mealybug Damage To Yews

Yews are a popular shrub in ornamental home gardens. Their deeply green foliage contrasts beautifully in the gardens spring, summer, fall and winter. Their slow growth habit and ability to take a hard pruning has made them a favorite for hedges and topiary for thousands of years. One of the insect pests that is commonly quite damaging to yews are mealybugs. There are many varieties … Continue reading Mealybug Damage To Yews

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Garden Diseases, Tree and Shrub Problems

Juniper Blight

Juniper trees and shrubs are a popular choice in the ornamental home garden. These slow growing plants require little maintenance, are fairly drought tolerant, take full sun and are able to grow in a variety of soil types. They are fairly salt tolerant and make good roadside plantings. In addition to this they are evergreens and provide year-round beauty and interest to the landscape. With … Continue reading Juniper Blight

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Annuals and Perennials, Tree and Shrub Problems

Planting Near A Walnut Tree

When selecting plant material for a home garden it is important to first take inventory of the trees on your property and neighbouring properties. Trees like walnut can present a real challenge for gardeners. Not only do the plants you select have to deal with shade and strong competition for water and nutrients, (as with planting near any large tree), they additionally have to contend … Continue reading Planting Near A Walnut Tree

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Garden Pests, Tree and Shrub Problems

Viburnum Leaf Beetle

Viburnum leaf beetles (Pyrrhalta viburni), are a serious threat to many species of viburnum. They are voracious feeders with a long feeding season. Both the larvae and adults feed on viburnum leaves. The larvae skeletonize the leaves while the adults chew oblong holes in them. If their numbers are great enough, they can completely defoliate a viburnum shrub, causing dieback that can lead eventually to … Continue reading Viburnum Leaf Beetle

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Garden Diseases, Tree and Shrub Problems

Juniper Rust (aka) Cedar Apple Rust

Written by Kimberley Pacholko Updated on Sept. 25, 2021 Juniper Rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae) better known as Cedar Apple Rust, s a fungal Disease requiring 2 years and 2 host plants to complete its life cycle. In the first group of host trees you have Apple, Quince and Hawthorne. In the second group you have Eastern Red Cedars and many varieties of Junipers. The disease can … Continue reading Juniper Rust (aka) Cedar Apple Rust

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Garden Diseases, Tree and Shrub Problems

Fire Blight in the Ornamental Home Garden

Fire Blight caused by Erwinia amylovora, is a serious bacterial disease that affects many members of the rose family (Rosaceae), such as purple sand cherry, apple, crabapple, quince, pear, plum, mountain ash and more. The trees and shrubs that have been infected have the appearance of having been scorched by fire. The disease is systemic and spreads rapidly leading to extensive damage, even death. There is … Continue reading Fire Blight in the Ornamental Home Garden

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Edible Gardens, Garden Diseases, Tree and Shrub Problems

Black Knot Disease of Plum and Cherry Trees

Black Knot Disease otherwise known as Dibotryon morbosum, is a serious, yet fairly common fungal disease of plums and cherry trees (including choke cherries). Other members of the Prunus family (like peaches, nectarines, apricots and almonds) can also be affected but it is less common. The affected trees develop hard, black elongated swellings, called knots, thus the name black knot. These knots are scattered throughout … Continue reading Black Knot Disease of Plum and Cherry Trees

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Lawn Care and Problems, Soil and Fertilizers, Tree and Shrub Problems, Winter Damage and Protection

Winter Garden Care – Protecting Your Plants From Salt Damage

Rock salt or Sodium Chloride (Na Cl) is commonly used to deice roads and walkways. As a deicer it is fast, easy to use, effective and affordable. On the downside though, its corrosive nature is damaging to vehicles, roads and pathways. This same salt can also be very damaging to plant material. There are 3 ways in which salt can damage your plant material: What … Continue reading Winter Garden Care – Protecting Your Plants From Salt Damage

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Garden Diseases, Tree and Shrub Problems

Eastern Filbert Blight On Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick

Eastern Filbert Blight is a disease caused by the fungus – Anisogramma anomola and is native to the northeastern United States and eastern Canada (although it has appeared in British Columbia, as early as 2001). Hazelnuts native to this region (Corylus americana) have proven to be more resistant to the disease (some are even immune) than the imported European hazelnuts (Corylus avellana). For Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick, a contorted hazelnut (Corylus avellana … Continue reading Eastern Filbert Blight On Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick

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Garden Pests, Tree and Shrub Problems

Magnolia Scale Identification and Treatment

Magnolia scale (Neolecan cornuparvum) are one of the largest soft scale insects in North America measuring 1/2″. They feed on the sap of magnolias weakening them. Their feeding creates a sticky mess that attracts wasps, ants and the like. The sticky leaves grow black sooty mold on them, and the beauty of the tree is greatly marred. Identification If your Magnolia tree has Magnolia Scale … Continue reading Magnolia Scale Identification and Treatment

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Garden Diseases, Tree and Shrub Problems

Boxwood Blight Verses Volutella Blight; Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Boxwood Blight Symptoms and Causes Boxwood Blight (also known as Cylindrocladium buxicola) is an aggressive fungal disease caused by the fungi Calonectria pseudonaviculata.  This disease strikes healthy Boxwood, quickly causing mass defoliation. You will typically see Boxwood Blight flair up during rainy or humid seasons, where the leaves stay wet for extended periods of time. If the fungi are present during ideal conditions, they will begin … Continue reading Boxwood Blight Verses Volutella Blight; Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

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