Diagnostics

Herbaceous Ornamentals

Aster (Aster)

  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Butterfly weed (Asclepias)

  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Canna lily (Canna)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.

Cornflower, Knapweed (Centaurea)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.

Cyclamen (Cyclamen)

  • Black walnut toxicity (herbaceous) ()
    Plants sensitive to juglone, a toxic substance produced by black walnut trees and to a lesser extent, butternut trees and shagbark hickories, may be stunted, have yellow or brown twisted leaves, may exhibit wilting or some or all of the plant parts, and die over time. Often an affected plant's vascular tissue will be discolored. Symptoms may occur rapidly, even within a few days of being transplanted into a walnut tree's root zone. Some plants may survive for years near a young walnut tree, only to succumb as the tree increases in size.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Impatiens necrotic spot (Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV))
    Viruses can only be definitively diagnosed in a lab under high magnification or with various serological test kits. Symptoms can include necrotic streaks, spots, rings and lines on leaves and stems; vein necrosis; distorted flowers, stems and leaves; general stunting; and bud drop. Black, brown, reddish or yellowish concentric rings, although not always present, are also symptoms of viral infection. This virus is spread by thrips which feed on infected plants and spread the virus to healthy plants via their saliva.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Ralstonia wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum)
    Initially, lower leaves of infected plants yellow and wilt, then die. Yellowing and death of upper leaves follow. Symptoms may initially occur on only one side of the plant. Internally, the water-conducting tissue of the plant browns, and then the entire stem rots from the inside out. Finally, infected plants die. One race of this bacteria can cause a serious disease of potatoes, thus it is closely monitored by various government agencies.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Daisy (Argyranthemum)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Hollyhock (Alcea)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Herbaceous Ornamentals-Annuals

Begonia (Begonia)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Impatiens necrotic spot (Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV))
    Viruses can only be definitively diagnosed in a lab under high magnification or with various serological test kits. Symptoms can include necrotic streaks, spots, rings and lines on leaves and stems; vein necrosis; distorted flowers, stems and leaves; general stunting; and bud drop. Black, brown, reddish or yellowish concentric rings, although not always present, are also symptoms of viral infection. This virus is spread by thrips which feed on infected plants and spread the virus to healthy plants via their saliva.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Cockscomb (Celosia)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Coleus (Coleus)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Cosmos (Cosmos)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Ralstonia wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum)
    Initially, lower leaves of infected plants yellow and wilt, then die. Yellowing and death of upper leaves follow. Symptoms may initially occur on only one side of the plant. Internally, the water-conducting tissue of the plant browns, and then the entire stem rots from the inside out. Finally, infected plants die. One race of this bacteria can cause a serious disease of potatoes, thus it is closely monitored by various government agencies.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Flossflower (Ageratum)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Root rot (Fusarium species (W))
    Symptoms include stunting, chlorosis, root necrosis and death of woody plants. Symptoms are dependent on cultural practices and the local environment.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.

Fountain plant, Love-lies-bleeding (Amaranth)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.

Ornamental pepper (Capsicum)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Ralstonia wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum)
    Initially, lower leaves of infected plants yellow and wilt, then die. Yellowing and death of upper leaves follow. Symptoms may initially occur on only one side of the plant. Internally, the water-conducting tissue of the plant browns, and then the entire stem rots from the inside out. Finally, infected plants die. One race of this bacteria can cause a serious disease of potatoes, thus it is closely monitored by various government agencies.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Pot marigold (Calendula)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.

Slipper flower (Calceolaria)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Herbaceous Ornamentals-Perennials

Anemone (Anemone)

  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Bellflower (Campanula)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Impatiens necrotic spot (Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV))
    Viruses can only be definitively diagnosed in a lab under high magnification or with various serological test kits. Symptoms can include necrotic streaks, spots, rings and lines on leaves and stems; vein necrosis; distorted flowers, stems and leaves; general stunting; and bud drop. Black, brown, reddish or yellowish concentric rings, although not always present, are also symptoms of viral infection. This virus is spread by thrips which feed on infected plants and spread the virus to healthy plants via their saliva.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.

Blackberry lily (Belamcanda)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.

Bugleweed (Ajuga)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Columbine (Aquilegia)

  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Impatiens necrotic spot (Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV))
    Viruses can only be definitively diagnosed in a lab under high magnification or with various serological test kits. Symptoms can include necrotic streaks, spots, rings and lines on leaves and stems; vein necrosis; distorted flowers, stems and leaves; general stunting; and bud drop. Black, brown, reddish or yellowish concentric rings, although not always present, are also symptoms of viral infection. This virus is spread by thrips which feed on infected plants and spread the virus to healthy plants via their saliva.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Common or Rose Mallow (Althaea)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Pythium species (W))
    Gardeners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggesting a nutrient deficiency. Examination of the roots of these plants reveals tissue that is soft and brown.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

False spirea (Astilbe)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis)

  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Fumitory (Corydalis)

  • Black walnut toxicity (herbaceous) ()
    Plants sensitive to juglone, a toxic substance produced by black walnut trees and to a lesser extent, butternut trees and shagbark hickories, may be stunted, have yellow or brown twisted leaves, may exhibit wilting or some or all of the plant parts, and die over time. Often an affected plant's vascular tissue will be discolored. Symptoms may occur rapidly, even within a few days of being transplanted into a walnut tree's root zone. Some plants may survive for years near a young walnut tree, only to succumb as the tree increases in size.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Lily of the valley (Convallaria)

  • Black walnut toxicity (herbaceous) ()
    Plants sensitive to juglone, a toxic substance produced by black walnut trees and to a lesser extent, butternut trees and shagbark hickories, may be stunted, have yellow or brown twisted leaves, may exhibit wilting or some or all of the plant parts, and die over time. Often an affected plant's vascular tissue will be discolored. Symptoms may occur rapidly, even within a few days of being transplanted into a walnut tree's root zone. Some plants may survive for years near a young walnut tree, only to succumb as the tree increases in size.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.

Monkshood (Aconitum)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Impatiens necrotic spot (Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV))
    Viruses can only be definitively diagnosed in a lab under high magnification or with various serological test kits. Symptoms can include necrotic streaks, spots, rings and lines on leaves and stems; vein necrosis; distorted flowers, stems and leaves; general stunting; and bud drop. Black, brown, reddish or yellowish concentric rings, although not always present, are also symptoms of viral infection. This virus is spread by thrips which feed on infected plants and spread the virus to healthy plants via their saliva.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.

Pigsqueak (Bergenia)

  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.

Rock cress (Aubrieta)

  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Sweet Flag (Acorus)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.

Tickweed (Coreopsis)

  • Black walnut toxicity (herbaceous) ()
    Plants sensitive to juglone, a toxic substance produced by black walnut trees and to a lesser extent, butternut trees and shagbark hickories, may be stunted, have yellow or brown twisted leaves, may exhibit wilting or some or all of the plant parts, and die over time. Often an affected plant's vascular tissue will be discolored. Symptoms may occur rapidly, even within a few days of being transplanted into a walnut tree's root zone. Some plants may survive for years near a young walnut tree, only to succumb as the tree increases in size.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Impatiens necrotic spot (Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV))
    Viruses can only be definitively diagnosed in a lab under high magnification or with various serological test kits. Symptoms can include necrotic streaks, spots, rings and lines on leaves and stems; vein necrosis; distorted flowers, stems and leaves; general stunting; and bud drop. Black, brown, reddish or yellowish concentric rings, although not always present, are also symptoms of viral infection. This virus is spread by thrips which feed on infected plants and spread the virus to healthy plants via their saliva.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.

Various ferns (Adiantum, Asplenium, Blechnum, Dryopteris, Gymnocarpium, Polystichum, etc.) (Ferns)

  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Thielaviopsis rot (herbaceous-root, stem or crown) (Thielaviopsis basicola (H))
    Aboveground symptoms include stunting, chlorosis and even plant death. Infected roots decay and thicken. They may be very black in color in mixes containing soil. Belowground stems may develop black, longitudinal cracks. Basal stem and root lesions are drier than those caused by Rhizoctonia.
  • White mold (Sclerotinia stem rot) (Sclerotinia species)
    Symptoms vary with the plant host and can lead to crown and stem cankers, root rots, wilts, damping-off of seedlings, and blossom and fruit rots. Plants can wilt rapidly as a result of stem-girdling cankers at or near the soil line. Brown spots can appear on flower petals and buds. Cottony masses of fungal threads (hyphae) may appear on stems or on nearby soil. Hard, irregularly-shaped masses (sclerotia) develop within or on the surface of infected plants. The sclerotia are white at first and then turn dark brown or black when mature. This disease favors cool wet springs and fall weather. Spores are dispersed primarily by wind, watersplash and insects.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.

Yarrow (Achillea)

  • Black walnut toxicity (herbaceous) ()
    Plants sensitive to juglone, a toxic substance produced by black walnut trees and to a lesser extent, butternut trees and shagbark hickories, may be stunted, have yellow or brown twisted leaves, may exhibit wilting or some or all of the plant parts, and die over time. Often an affected plant's vascular tissue will be discolored. Symptoms may occur rapidly, even within a few days of being transplanted into a walnut tree's root zone. Some plants may survive for years near a young walnut tree, only to succumb as the tree increases in size.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Crown gall (herbaceous) (Agrobacterium tumefaciens (H))
    Infected plants exhibit distorted growth or galls on the lower stem. To identify, crown gall surface tissue is the same color and as firm as healthy plant tissue; and swellings cannot be rubbed off of the plant. Roots may appear gnarled, stunted or hairy with mostly small rootlets. Symptomatic plants may also be chlorotic, distorted, grow slowly, have small leaves, and because they're under stress, may be more susceptible to drought and other problems. Galls can crack and become infected with secondary pathogens. Herbaceous plants may be more seriously affected and possibly killed.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Phytophthora rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Phytophthora species (H))
    May cause leaves to discolor, wilt and drop prematurely. Infected plants are stunted, stems die back and the entire plant may be killed. Thrives under wet conditions with similar symptoms on similar hosts often alongside Pythium species. Spreads via watersplash.
  • Pythium rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Pythium species (H))
    First symptoms are yellow, stunted or wilted plants. Pythium infects young tissue, often root tips, and causes a dark brown to black wet rot that softens and disintegrates tissue. This disease commonly attacks below the soil surface from root tips to primary roots and sometimes to the base of the plant, and is favored by wet, poorly drained conditions.
  • Rhizoctonia rot (root, stem or crown-herbaceous) (Rhizoctonia species (H))
    Symptoms include wilting and death, especially of seedlings (damping off). Moist brown lesions commonly form at the base of infected petioles or on lower stems, usually at the soil line. Crown areas decay, and roots are also sometimes infected and become dark and decayed, especially in peat-containing mixes. Rhizoctonia root rot is favored by relatively high temperatures and intermediate moisture, neither too wet nor too dry. It persists in growing media and is common in many soils.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.

Woody Ornamentals-Conifer

Boxwood (Buxus)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Armored scale (Diaspididae family)
    Armored scales are oval, somewhat elongate (think oyster shell), small (1/20-1/8") insects that secrete a hard, waxy cover. During the adult stage, no body parts are visible except the cover. Eggs are laid under the cover and hatch into crawlers, which can move around and are susceptible to sprays and oils.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Nectria canker (Nectria (Neonectria))
    Nectria canker is characterized by the production of sore-like wounds (cankers) that form on twigs, branches, and trunks. Cankers can form at leaf scars and wherever injuries occur. Injuries can be caused by pruning (particularly improper pruning), frost, hail, cracking from heavy snow or ice, sunscald, insects, or mammals. Cankers appear first as slightly sunken areas on the bark, but can grow for years, becoming target-shaped or elongated. Small branches girdled by cankers can wilt suddenly, fail to leaf out, and die.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Cylindrocladium species)
    Root infections are characterized by many dark brown to black lesions often with longitudinal cracks. Severe root disease leads to stunting, wilting, yellowing and death. Stem infections of both conifers and broadleaves arise at the leaf bases and may girdle small stems. Diseased conifer needles turn yellow or red-brown. Dark lesions form in the leaves of broadleaf plants. Leaf blight leads to defoliation.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.
  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Fir (Abies)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Armored scale (Diaspididae family)
    Armored scales are oval, somewhat elongate (think oyster shell), small (1/20-1/8") insects that secrete a hard, waxy cover. During the adult stage, no body parts are visible except the cover. Eggs are laid under the cover and hatch into crawlers, which can move around and are susceptible to sprays and oils.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Cytospora canker (Cytospora species)
    A stem and branch disorder affecting many different types of conifers. In Wisconsin, Colorado Blue Spruce is the main species that is affected.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.

Hemlock (Tsuga)

  • Cytospora canker (Cytospora species)
    A stem and branch disorder affecting many different types of conifers. In Wisconsin, Colorado Blue Spruce is the main species that is affected.

Pine (Pinus)

  • Cytospora canker (Cytospora species)
    A stem and branch disorder affecting many different types of conifers. In Wisconsin, Colorado Blue Spruce is the main species that is affected.

Spruce (Picea)

  • Cytospora canker (Cytospora species)
    A stem and branch disorder affecting many different types of conifers. In Wisconsin, Colorado Blue Spruce is the main species that is affected.

Woody Ornamentals-Deciduous-Shrub

Barberry (Berberis)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Nectria canker (Nectria (Neonectria))
    Nectria canker is characterized by the production of sore-like wounds (cankers) that form on twigs, branches, and trunks. Cankers can form at leaf scars and wherever injuries occur. Injuries can be caused by pruning (particularly improper pruning), frost, hail, cracking from heavy snow or ice, sunscald, insects, or mammals. Cankers appear first as slightly sunken areas on the bark, but can grow for years, becoming target-shaped or elongated. Small branches girdled by cankers can wilt suddenly, fail to leaf out, and die.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.
  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Blue mist spirea (Caryopteris)

  • Black walnut toxicity (herbaceous) ()
    Plants sensitive to juglone, a toxic substance produced by black walnut trees and to a lesser extent, butternut trees and shagbark hickories, may be stunted, have yellow or brown twisted leaves, may exhibit wilting or some or all of the plant parts, and die over time. Often an affected plant's vascular tissue will be discolored. Symptoms may occur rapidly, even within a few days of being transplanted into a walnut tree's root zone. Some plants may survive for years near a young walnut tree, only to succumb as the tree increases in size.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.

Butterfly bush (Buddleia)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Armored scale (Diaspididae family)
    Armored scales are oval, somewhat elongate (think oyster shell), small (1/20-1/8") insects that secrete a hard, waxy cover. During the adult stage, no body parts are visible except the cover. Eggs are laid under the cover and hatch into crawlers, which can move around and are susceptible to sprays and oils.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Cylindrocladium species)
    Root infections are characterized by many dark brown to black lesions often with longitudinal cracks. Severe root disease leads to stunting, wilting, yellowing and death. Stem infections of both conifers and broadleaves arise at the leaf bases and may girdle small stems. Diseased conifer needles turn yellow or red-brown. Dark lesions form in the leaves of broadleaf plants. Leaf blight leads to defoliation.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.

Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Armored scale (Diaspididae family)
    Armored scales are oval, somewhat elongate (think oyster shell), small (1/20-1/8") insects that secrete a hard, waxy cover. During the adult stage, no body parts are visible except the cover. Eggs are laid under the cover and hatch into crawlers, which can move around and are susceptible to sprays and oils.
  • Black walnut toxicity (herbaceous) ()
    Plants sensitive to juglone, a toxic substance produced by black walnut trees and to a lesser extent, butternut trees and shagbark hickories, may be stunted, have yellow or brown twisted leaves, may exhibit wilting or some or all of the plant parts, and die over time. Often an affected plant's vascular tissue will be discolored. Symptoms may occur rapidly, even within a few days of being transplanted into a walnut tree's root zone. Some plants may survive for years near a young walnut tree, only to succumb as the tree increases in size.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Nectria canker (Nectria (Neonectria))
    Nectria canker is characterized by the production of sore-like wounds (cankers) that form on twigs, branches, and trunks. Cankers can form at leaf scars and wherever injuries occur. Injuries can be caused by pruning (particularly improper pruning), frost, hail, cracking from heavy snow or ice, sunscald, insects, or mammals. Cankers appear first as slightly sunken areas on the bark, but can grow for years, becoming target-shaped or elongated. Small branches girdled by cankers can wilt suddenly, fail to leaf out, and die.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Root rot (Fusarium species (W))
    Symptoms include stunting, chlorosis, root necrosis and death of woody plants. Symptoms are dependent on cultural practices and the local environment.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Phytophthora species (W))
    Gardeners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggestareardenersadners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggesting a nutrient deficiency. Examination of the roots of these plants reveals tissue that is soft and brown.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Rhizoctonia species (W))
    Symptoms on the above ground parts of larger plants include necrotic spots and blotches on the leaves, shoot blight and dieback.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.

Dogwood (Cornus)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Armored scale (Diaspididae family)
    Armored scales are oval, somewhat elongate (think oyster shell), small (1/20-1/8") insects that secrete a hard, waxy cover. During the adult stage, no body parts are visible except the cover. Eggs are laid under the cover and hatch into crawlers, which can move around and are susceptible to sprays and oils.
  • Birch canker (Nectria (Neonectria) galligena)
    Canker lesions first appear as small dark depressed areas on young, smooth barked stems, often killing twigs by girdling. Most cankers are centered on small branch stubs or their remains. Diseased trees usually have more than one canker. This disease is among the most important stem diseases on birch.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Nectria canker (Nectria (Neonectria))
    Nectria canker is characterized by the production of sore-like wounds (cankers) that form on twigs, branches, and trunks. Cankers can form at leaf scars and wherever injuries occur. Injuries can be caused by pruning (particularly improper pruning), frost, hail, cracking from heavy snow or ice, sunscald, insects, or mammals. Cankers appear first as slightly sunken areas on the bark, but can grow for years, becoming target-shaped or elongated. Small branches girdled by cankers can wilt suddenly, fail to leaf out, and die.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Root rot (Fusarium species (W))
    Symptoms include stunting, chlorosis, root necrosis and death of woody plants. Symptoms are dependent on cultural practices and the local environment.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Cylindrocladium species)
    Root infections are characterized by many dark brown to black lesions often with longitudinal cracks. Severe root disease leads to stunting, wilting, yellowing and death. Stem infections of both conifers and broadleaves arise at the leaf bases and may girdle small stems. Diseased conifer needles turn yellow or red-brown. Dark lesions form in the leaves of broadleaf plants. Leaf blight leads to defoliation.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Phytophthora species (W))
    Gardeners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggestareardenersadners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggesting a nutrient deficiency. Examination of the roots of these plants reveals tissue that is soft and brown.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.

Honeysuckle (Lonicera)

  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Lilac (Syringa)

  • Ash Yellows/Lilac Witches Broom (Candidatus Phytoplasma faxini)
    Ash yellows is a chronic, systemic disease of ash trees caused by a bacteria-like organism (Phytoplasma). The organism that causes ash yellows also causes a disease called lilac witches’-broom. The ash yellows phytoplasma is thought to be spread primarily through the feeding activity of leafhopper insects.
  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Privet (Ligustrum)

  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Quince (Chaenomeles)

  • Black walnut toxicity (herbaceous) ()
    Plants sensitive to juglone, a toxic substance produced by black walnut trees and to a lesser extent, butternut trees and shagbark hickories, may be stunted, have yellow or brown twisted leaves, may exhibit wilting or some or all of the plant parts, and die over time. Often an affected plant's vascular tissue will be discolored. Symptoms may occur rapidly, even within a few days of being transplanted into a walnut tree's root zone. Some plants may survive for years near a young walnut tree, only to succumb as the tree increases in size.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Nectria canker (Nectria (Neonectria))
    Nectria canker is characterized by the production of sore-like wounds (cankers) that form on twigs, branches, and trunks. Cankers can form at leaf scars and wherever injuries occur. Injuries can be caused by pruning (particularly improper pruning), frost, hail, cracking from heavy snow or ice, sunscald, insects, or mammals. Cankers appear first as slightly sunken areas on the bark, but can grow for years, becoming target-shaped or elongated. Small branches girdled by cankers can wilt suddenly, fail to leaf out, and die.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.

Rhododendron (Rhododendron)

  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Rose (Rosa)

  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Smoketree (Cotinus)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.

Spiraea (Spiraea)

  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Sumac (Rhus)

  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Viburnum (Viburnum)

  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Weigela (Weigela)

  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Woody Ornamentals-Deciduous-Tree

Ash (Fraxinus)

  • Ash Yellows/Lilac Witches Broom (Candidatus Phytoplasma faxini)
    Ash yellows is a chronic, systemic disease of ash trees caused by a bacteria-like organism (Phytoplasma). The organism that causes ash yellows also causes a disease called lilac witches’-broom. The ash yellows phytoplasma is thought to be spread primarily through the feeding activity of leafhopper insects.
  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Birch (Betula)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Armored scale (Diaspididae family)
    Armored scales are oval, somewhat elongate (think oyster shell), small (1/20-1/8") insects that secrete a hard, waxy cover. During the adult stage, no body parts are visible except the cover. Eggs are laid under the cover and hatch into crawlers, which can move around and are susceptible to sprays and oils.
  • Birch canker (Nectria (Neonectria) galligena)
    Canker lesions first appear as small dark depressed areas on young, smooth barked stems, often killing twigs by girdling. Most cankers are centered on small branch stubs or their remains. Diseased trees usually have more than one canker. This disease is among the most important stem diseases on birch.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Nectria canker (Nectria (Neonectria))
    Nectria canker is characterized by the production of sore-like wounds (cankers) that form on twigs, branches, and trunks. Cankers can form at leaf scars and wherever injuries occur. Injuries can be caused by pruning (particularly improper pruning), frost, hail, cracking from heavy snow or ice, sunscald, insects, or mammals. Cankers appear first as slightly sunken areas on the bark, but can grow for years, becoming target-shaped or elongated. Small branches girdled by cankers can wilt suddenly, fail to leaf out, and die.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Phytophthora species (W))
    Gardeners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggestareardenersadners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggesting a nutrient deficiency. Examination of the roots of these plants reveals tissue that is soft and brown.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.
  • Yellow-necked caterpillar (Datana ministra)
    Mature larvae are black except for a yellow orange neck and several yellow lines along the length of the body.

Buckeye (Aesculus)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Armored scale (Diaspididae family)
    Armored scales are oval, somewhat elongate (think oyster shell), small (1/20-1/8") insects that secrete a hard, waxy cover. During the adult stage, no body parts are visible except the cover. Eggs are laid under the cover and hatch into crawlers, which can move around and are susceptible to sprays and oils.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Root rot (Fusarium species (W))
    Symptoms include stunting, chlorosis, root necrosis and death of woody plants. Symptoms are dependent on cultural practices and the local environment.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Phytophthora species (W))
    Gardeners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggestareardenersadners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggesting a nutrient deficiency. Examination of the roots of these plants reveals tissue that is soft and brown.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Pythium species (W))
    Gardeners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggesting a nutrient deficiency. Examination of the roots of these plants reveals tissue that is soft and brown.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Rhizoctonia species (W))
    Symptoms on the above ground parts of larger plants include necrotic spots and blotches on the leaves, shoot blight and dieback.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Thielaviopsis species (W))
    Uncommonly damages woody plants in the landscape. Symptoms include stunting, sparse foliage, poor foliar color and die back after the death of fibrous roots
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.
  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.

Catalpa (Catalpa)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Armored scale (Diaspididae family)
    Armored scales are oval, somewhat elongate (think oyster shell), small (1/20-1/8") insects that secrete a hard, waxy cover. During the adult stage, no body parts are visible except the cover. Eggs are laid under the cover and hatch into crawlers, which can move around and are susceptible to sprays and oils.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Nectria canker (Nectria (Neonectria))
    Nectria canker is characterized by the production of sore-like wounds (cankers) that form on twigs, branches, and trunks. Cankers can form at leaf scars and wherever injuries occur. Injuries can be caused by pruning (particularly improper pruning), frost, hail, cracking from heavy snow or ice, sunscald, insects, or mammals. Cankers appear first as slightly sunken areas on the bark, but can grow for years, becoming target-shaped or elongated. Small branches girdled by cankers can wilt suddenly, fail to leaf out, and die.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Thielaviopsis species (W))
    Uncommonly damages woody plants in the landscape. Symptoms include stunting, sparse foliage, poor foliar color and die back after the death of fibrous roots
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.
  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Coffeetree (Gymnocladus)

  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Crabapple (Malus)

  • Yellow-necked caterpillar (Datana ministra)
    Mature larvae are black except for a yellow orange neck and several yellow lines along the length of the body.

Elm (Ulmus)

  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.
  • Yellow-necked caterpillar (Datana ministra)
    Mature larvae are black except for a yellow orange neck and several yellow lines along the length of the body.

Filbert (Corylus)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Birch canker (Nectria (Neonectria) galligena)
    Canker lesions first appear as small dark depressed areas on young, smooth barked stems, often killing twigs by girdling. Most cankers are centered on small branch stubs or their remains. Diseased trees usually have more than one canker. This disease is among the most important stem diseases on birch.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.

Hackberry (Celtis)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Armored scale (Diaspididae family)
    Armored scales are oval, somewhat elongate (think oyster shell), small (1/20-1/8") insects that secrete a hard, waxy cover. During the adult stage, no body parts are visible except the cover. Eggs are laid under the cover and hatch into crawlers, which can move around and are susceptible to sprays and oils.
  • Black walnut toxicity (herbaceous) ()
    Plants sensitive to juglone, a toxic substance produced by black walnut trees and to a lesser extent, butternut trees and shagbark hickories, may be stunted, have yellow or brown twisted leaves, may exhibit wilting or some or all of the plant parts, and die over time. Often an affected plant's vascular tissue will be discolored. Symptoms may occur rapidly, even within a few days of being transplanted into a walnut tree's root zone. Some plants may survive for years near a young walnut tree, only to succumb as the tree increases in size.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Nectria canker (Nectria (Neonectria))
    Nectria canker is characterized by the production of sore-like wounds (cankers) that form on twigs, branches, and trunks. Cankers can form at leaf scars and wherever injuries occur. Injuries can be caused by pruning (particularly improper pruning), frost, hail, cracking from heavy snow or ice, sunscald, insects, or mammals. Cankers appear first as slightly sunken areas on the bark, but can grow for years, becoming target-shaped or elongated. Small branches girdled by cankers can wilt suddenly, fail to leaf out, and die.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.

Hawthorn (Crataegus)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Armored scale (Diaspididae family)
    Armored scales are oval, somewhat elongate (think oyster shell), small (1/20-1/8") insects that secrete a hard, waxy cover. During the adult stage, no body parts are visible except the cover. Eggs are laid under the cover and hatch into crawlers, which can move around and are susceptible to sprays and oils.
  • Birch canker (Nectria (Neonectria) galligena)
    Canker lesions first appear as small dark depressed areas on young, smooth barked stems, often killing twigs by girdling. Most cankers are centered on small branch stubs or their remains. Diseased trees usually have more than one canker. This disease is among the most important stem diseases on birch.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Cytospora canker (Cytospora species)
    A stem and branch disorder affecting many different types of conifers. In Wisconsin, Colorado Blue Spruce is the main species that is affected.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.
  • Yellow-necked caterpillar (Datana ministra)
    Mature larvae are black except for a yellow orange neck and several yellow lines along the length of the body.

Hickory (Carya)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Armored scale (Diaspididae family)
    Armored scales are oval, somewhat elongate (think oyster shell), small (1/20-1/8") insects that secrete a hard, waxy cover. During the adult stage, no body parts are visible except the cover. Eggs are laid under the cover and hatch into crawlers, which can move around and are susceptible to sprays and oils.
  • Birch canker (Nectria (Neonectria) galligena)
    Canker lesions first appear as small dark depressed areas on young, smooth barked stems, often killing twigs by girdling. Most cankers are centered on small branch stubs or their remains. Diseased trees usually have more than one canker. This disease is among the most important stem diseases on birch.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Nectria canker (Nectria (Neonectria))
    Nectria canker is characterized by the production of sore-like wounds (cankers) that form on twigs, branches, and trunks. Cankers can form at leaf scars and wherever injuries occur. Injuries can be caused by pruning (particularly improper pruning), frost, hail, cracking from heavy snow or ice, sunscald, insects, or mammals. Cankers appear first as slightly sunken areas on the bark, but can grow for years, becoming target-shaped or elongated. Small branches girdled by cankers can wilt suddenly, fail to leaf out, and die.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Cylindrocladium species)
    Root infections are characterized by many dark brown to black lesions often with longitudinal cracks. Severe root disease leads to stunting, wilting, yellowing and death. Stem infections of both conifers and broadleaves arise at the leaf bases and may girdle small stems. Diseased conifer needles turn yellow or red-brown. Dark lesions form in the leaves of broadleaf plants. Leaf blight leads to defoliation.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.
  • Yellow-necked caterpillar (Datana ministra)
    Mature larvae are black except for a yellow orange neck and several yellow lines along the length of the body.

Honeylocust (Gleditsia )

  • Nectria canker (Nectria (Neonectria))
    Nectria canker is characterized by the production of sore-like wounds (cankers) that form on twigs, branches, and trunks. Cankers can form at leaf scars and wherever injuries occur. Injuries can be caused by pruning (particularly improper pruning), frost, hail, cracking from heavy snow or ice, sunscald, insects, or mammals. Cankers appear first as slightly sunken areas on the bark, but can grow for years, becoming target-shaped or elongated. Small branches girdled by cankers can wilt suddenly, fail to leaf out, and die.

Locust (Robinia)

  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Magnolia (Magnolia)

  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Maple (Acer)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Armored scale (Diaspididae family)
    Armored scales are oval, somewhat elongate (think oyster shell), small (1/20-1/8") insects that secrete a hard, waxy cover. During the adult stage, no body parts are visible except the cover. Eggs are laid under the cover and hatch into crawlers, which can move around and are susceptible to sprays and oils.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Phytophthora species (W))
    Gardeners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggestareardenersadners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggesting a nutrient deficiency. Examination of the roots of these plants reveals tissue that is soft and brown.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Pythium species (W))
    Gardeners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggesting a nutrient deficiency. Examination of the roots of these plants reveals tissue that is soft and brown.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Rhizoctonia species (W))
    Symptoms on the above ground parts of larger plants include necrotic spots and blotches on the leaves, shoot blight and dieback.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Thielaviopsis species (W))
    Uncommonly damages woody plants in the landscape. Symptoms include stunting, sparse foliage, poor foliar color and die back after the death of fibrous roots
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.
  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.
  • Yellow-necked caterpillar (Datana ministra)
    Mature larvae are black except for a yellow orange neck and several yellow lines along the length of the body.

Oak (Quercus)

  • Yellow-necked caterpillar (Datana ministra)
    Mature larvae are black except for a yellow orange neck and several yellow lines along the length of the body.

Plum / Cherry (Prunus)

  • Black knot (Apiosporina morbosa)
    During the first year of infection, black knot-infected trees develop greenish-brown to brown swellings on affected branches and trunks. During the second year, these swellings enlarge into the ugly, black, erupting tumors (galls) characteristic of the disease. Older gall tissue (greater than two years old) often dies and then is colonized by fungi that give the gall a whitish or pinkish color. Severe black knot infections may cause general tree decline or death if galls girdle large limbs or tree trunks.
  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.
  • Yellow-necked caterpillar (Datana ministra)
    Mature larvae are black except for a yellow orange neck and several yellow lines along the length of the body.

Redbud (Cercis)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Armored scale (Diaspididae family)
    Armored scales are oval, somewhat elongate (think oyster shell), small (1/20-1/8") insects that secrete a hard, waxy cover. During the adult stage, no body parts are visible except the cover. Eggs are laid under the cover and hatch into crawlers, which can move around and are susceptible to sprays and oils.
  • Birch canker (Nectria (Neonectria) galligena)
    Canker lesions first appear as small dark depressed areas on young, smooth barked stems, often killing twigs by girdling. Most cankers are centered on small branch stubs or their remains. Diseased trees usually have more than one canker. This disease is among the most important stem diseases on birch.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Cylindrocladium species)
    Root infections are characterized by many dark brown to black lesions often with longitudinal cracks. Severe root disease leads to stunting, wilting, yellowing and death. Stem infections of both conifers and broadleaves arise at the leaf bases and may girdle small stems. Diseased conifer needles turn yellow or red-brown. Dark lesions form in the leaves of broadleaf plants. Leaf blight leads to defoliation.
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.
  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus )

  • Phomopsis canker (Phomopsis species)
    Kills seedlings/saplings and causes cankers on larger plants. Shriveled, faded foliage can be found on dead branches and small trees from midsummer to fall. Young cankers in smooth-barked branches are reddish-brown to black. An amber-brown gum is often exuded from lesions. Cankers on trunks and scaffold limbs appear as dark, depressed areas leading to splits in the bark. Within a month after infection, pimply eruptions appear on the surface. Initially grayish-tan, eruptions darken with age and eventually turn black. Usually they are abundant by the time the disease is detected but remain prominent for at least a year.
  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier)

  • Armillaria root rot (Armillaria species)
    Also known as shoestring root rot, this is an often lethal disease of woody plant roots and lower stems. It can affect almost any conifer or hardwood species, from seedling to maturity. Trees and shrubs stressed due to drought or defoliation are more susceptible. The fungi produce tough, cord-like strands called “rhizomorphs” that grow from decaying stumps and roots through the soil. Infection of other trees or shrubs can result from penetration of intact roots by rhizomorphs. In late summer or early fall, honey-colored mushrooms of Armillaria fungi develop near the bases of colonized plants and produce spores that are distributed by wind. Infection also can occur after these spores germinate in wounds on stems or roots. Above-ground symptoms include slow growth, yellowing and dwarfing of foliage, and thin crowns. Dieback of twigs and branches also may occur. Symptoms may develop slowly and intensify over many years or kill their host rapidly. Bark on lower stems or roots may be killed and crack, with flow of resin common on conifers. Thin white mats of fungus tissue called “mycelial fans” may be present within and beneath killed bark. Stem and root wood decayed by Armillaria fungi is often water-soaked, creamy to yellow in color, and spongy or stringy in texture. Rhizomorphs are commonly seen on or beneath the bark and growing from decayed stumps and roots.
  • Armored scale (Diaspididae family)
    Armored scales are oval, somewhat elongate (think oyster shell), small (1/20-1/8") insects that secrete a hard, waxy cover. During the adult stage, no body parts are visible except the cover. Eggs are laid under the cover and hatch into crawlers, which can move around and are susceptible to sprays and oils.
  • Cold/Frost Damage ()
    Any part of a plant may be affected by cold damage. In spring, it's usually tender growth, which will appear watersoaked and may turn black. Flower buds can sustain damage during winter dormancy or during the blooming period. Plants will either have reduced numbers of blooms, and hence fruit set, or won't bloom at all. In fall, if plants aren't hardened off, they can sustain cold injury in temperatures well above those tolerated by acclimated plants. Root injury is rare unless plants are in raised beds or containers. Generally younger plants are more susceptible than mature plants. Cold injury on woody plants usually presents in the form of frost cracks in wood or bark. Mature leaves may turn red, purple, brown or black and may or may not fall off the tree or shrub.
  • Gas Injury ()
    Symptoms of gas injury can range from slow growth to total plant death, and initially resemble symptoms of water stress. Gas injury may also be mistaken for compacted soil, root disease, herbicide injury or air pollution. Symptoms include: slow growth, small leaves, wilt and leaf drop. Roots may be bluish and water-soaked, and surrounding soils may turn bluish gray or black. The injury may progress over time. Gas injury may occur from gas released into the soil or into the air. Root zone injury from gas leaks in soil usually stems from gas or sewer-line breaks (rapid damage) or gases leaking from landfills (gradual damage). The extent of damage depends on the size of the leak, when it occurs (summer is worse), soil type (heavier is worse) and the amount of paving surrounding the plants. Gas injury due to atmospheric gas leaks usually stems from vents, chimneys, smokestacks or industrial equipment, and may or may not be phytotoxic. These releases are usually accidental and short-lived.
  • Girdling ()
    Decline and dieback caused by girdling, either by roots or man-made objects, usually affect mature trees moreso than young ones. Symptoms may include: thinning crown, leaf scorch, sparse foliage, leaves in tufts, branch dieback, early fall color, and leaf drop.
  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Planting Too Deeply ()
    Trees planted too deeply in the soil exhibit a gradual decline in their growth and development. Deep planting acts as a primary stress factor and can lead to stem girdling roots which will eventually choke the trunk. It can also make trees more susceptible to disease and insect pests, and frost cracks; can cause roots to grow up toward the surface where they will have to compete for nutrients and water; and can activate suckering shoots or adventitious roots that grow from the underground part of the trunk. If you cannot see the root flare of your woody plant, then it is planted too deeply.
  • Root rot (Fusarium species (W))
    Symptoms include stunting, chlorosis, root necrosis and death of woody plants. Symptoms are dependent on cultural practices and the local environment.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Phytophthora species (W))
    Gardeners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggestareardenersadners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggesting a nutrient deficiency. Examination of the roots of these plants reveals tissue that is soft and brown.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Pythium species (W))
    Gardeners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggesting a nutrient deficiency. Examination of the roots of these plants reveals tissue that is soft and brown.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Rhizoctonia species (W))
    Symptoms on the above ground parts of larger plants include necrotic spots and blotches on the leaves, shoot blight and dieback.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Thielaviopsis species (W))
    Uncommonly damages woody plants in the landscape. Symptoms include stunting, sparse foliage, poor foliar color and die back after the death of fibrous roots
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Sunscald ()
    Often the first symptom of sunscald is the reddish-brown discoloration of bark. Then, the bark shrinks, appearing sunken, splits and peels back in chunky patches exposing sapwood underneath. Often cankers develop. Severe sunscald may cause the entire trunk to be girdled, or only individual branches. Look for sunscald on the south, southwest or west side of trunks or branches. It most commonly affects trees suffering from water stress or young trees with thin bark. Newly planted or transplanted are most susceptible and container-grown plants are more likely to get sunscald than field-grown ones. Species particularly prone to sunscald include: Liriodendron, Acer, Tilia, Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Juglans, and Ulmus.
  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.
  • Yellow-necked caterpillar (Datana ministra)
    Mature larvae are black except for a yellow orange neck and several yellow lines along the length of the body.

Tuliptree (Liriodendron )

  • Verticillium wilt (woody plants) (Verticillium species (W))
    The first signs of Verticillium wilt that you may notice are individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree. If you carefully peel away the bark of these branches, you may see brown or green streaking in the sapwood. Streaking is common in trees such as maple or redbud, but often is not visible in ash.

Walnut (Juglans)

  • Yellow-necked caterpillar (Datana ministra)
    Mature larvae are black except for a yellow orange neck and several yellow lines along the length of the body.

Woody Ornamentals-Vines

Clematis (Clematis)

  • Herbicide Damage ()
    Herbicides can damage any type of plant and injury usually happens as a result of drift, careless application or evaporation during hot weather. Symptoms of herbicide injury may include: twisted plant stems; stem fasciation; narrow, curling or leathery leaves; or excessive callus formation on roots and stems along with secondary root growth. At extremely low application rates, broadleaf herbicides such as 2,4-D, MCPP or dicamba usually will not kill plants, although they will act as growth regulators.
  • Overwatering ()
    Overwatering, whether acute or chronic, is usually a death sentence for plants, especially when accompanied with poor drainage. Waterlogged soils limit oxygen uptake by plant roots, which in turn affects the plant's metabolism, nutrient uptake, water absorption and photosynthesis. Symptoms vary from slow growth to plant death and can include: leaf necrosis, dieback, root discoloration, soil blackening, foul odors, slow growth, thinning canopy and chlorosis. Overwatered conifer symptoms are similar, except they can also exhibit needle drop. Overwatering is common in irrigated landscapes, plantings at the bottoms of slopes and in poorly drained containers.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Phytophthora species (W))
    Gardeners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggestareardenersadners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggesting a nutrient deficiency. Examination of the roots of these plants reveals tissue that is soft and brown.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Pythium species (W))
    Gardeners often become aware of root rot problems when they see above ground symptoms of the disease. Plants with root rot are often stunted or wilted, and may have leaves with a yellow or red color, suggesting a nutrient deficiency. Examination of the roots of these plants reveals tissue that is soft and brown.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Rhizoctonia species (W))
    Symptoms on the above ground parts of larger plants include necrotic spots and blotches on the leaves, shoot blight and dieback.
  • Root rot (woody plants) (Thielaviopsis species (W))
    Uncommonly damages woody plants in the landscape. Symptoms include stunting, sparse foliage, poor foliar color and die back after the death of fibrous roots
  • Soft scale (Coccidae family)
    Soft scales are usually broadly oval becoming larger and more humped as eggs mature underneath the protective cover. Look for adults on twigs or small branches and immature stages on leaves or needles.
  • Soil Compaction ()
    Soil compaction is usually one of several factors that can lead to the decline of woody plants. It is a physical factor, much like drought, freezing or mechanical damage. When combined with chemical factors such as salinity, nutrient imbalances, soil acidification, herbicides or pollution and biotic factors, such as disease or insect problems, the tree will often go into slow decline. Remove any one of these factors before the plant dies or is beyond help, and the decline can be arrested and the plant may recover. Symptoms of soil compaction vary with tree species and cause, but they can include: slow growth; small, distorted, sparse, chlorotic and nutrient-deficient leaves; scorch; premature autumn color; premature leaf drop; abnormally large "distress" crops of fruit; insufficient storage of food reserves for winter; and dieback of twigs or branches. The three factors that lead to soil compaction are gravity, rain and traffic.
  • Sooty molds (Several)
    Sooty molds are dark fungi that grow on plant surfaces covered in honeydew excreted by insects with piercing/sucking mouth parts such as aphids, scale, mealybugs and whiteflies. It is generally harmless to plants, except when it is prolific, preventing light from reaching leaf surfaces, causing plants stress. This stress may make the plant more susceptible to other diseases or problems.
  • Winter salt injury ()
    De-icing salts accumulate in the soil along streets/sidewalks or may be dispersed in an aerosol spray by fast-moving traffic and high winds along wet, salted roads. Salt spray can travel hundreds of feet from the roads where it originated. Symptoms can be similar to other abiotic plant problems, but there are tell-tale indicators including: Damage is more severe on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks; severity of damage increases with volume/speed of traffic and amount of salt used; plants downwind from roads show more damage than those upwind; most damage occurs within 60' of road and decreases with distance; branches covered by snow or otherwise sheltered show no damage; branches growing above spray drift zone show no damage. Symptoms in deciduous plants include: delayed budbreak; reduced leaf size/stem growth; off-colored foliage; scorched leaves; no flowering; bud/twig death; and branch-tip dieback leading to 'witches' broom' growth below the dead area. Symptoms on conifers include: tips of mature needles turn brown or yellow, discoloration moves down needle eventually killing all of it, then needles fall off; twig dieback; and symptoms manifest only on sides of plants facing roads/sidewalks.

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