Diagnostics

Herbaceous Ornamentals-Perennials

Anemone (Anemone)

  • Downy mildew (herbaceous) (Several)
    Early symptoms appear as irregular, light green or yellow angular patches on upper leaf surfaces. Lesions may also be purplish red to dark brown. Under high humidity, downy mildews form fluffy or fuzzy (downy) areas of spores on the undersides of leaves. Under magnification, the downy areas look like very small bunches of branched hairs. Older leaves toward the bottom of plants are usually infected first and wither and brown as the disease proceeds up the stem.
  • 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.
  • Mealybug (Pseudococcidae family)
    Characteristically mealybugs are covered in white granular or cotton-like wax. Mealy bug bodies are always soft and the females are oval and flat with distinct segmentation often visible in the wax. Eggs are usually laid in a white cottony material underneath the female. Widespread in greenhouses and indoor plants; not an outdoor problem. Depending on temperature, one generation can develop every 1-3 months.
  • Rusts (herbaceous) (Several)
    Symptoms of infection usually first appear as light-colored spots on upper leaf surfaces followed by dry, brown, orange, purple, reddish or yellowish spore masses or pustules commonly on the lower leaf surfaces. Each rust species is specific to a certain host genus or species and cannot spread to unrelated plants. Moderate infections will not harm plants, but can make plants unattractive. Heavily infected leaves may curl, wither and drop prematurely. Severely infected plants may be stunted. Rusts spread primarily via windblown spores.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Rusts (herbaceous) (Several)
    Symptoms of infection usually first appear as light-colored spots on upper leaf surfaces followed by dry, brown, orange, purple, reddish or yellowish spore masses or pustules commonly on the lower leaf surfaces. Each rust species is specific to a certain host genus or species and cannot spread to unrelated plants. Moderate infections will not harm plants, but can make plants unattractive. Heavily infected leaves may curl, wither and drop prematurely. Severely infected plants may be stunted. Rusts spread primarily via windblown spores.
  • Slug (Order Sytlomatophora)
    Garden slugs are terrestrial mollusks, essentially snails without shells. As they move, they coat surfaces with a silvery, slimy substance. Most feed at night or during dark, cloudy days. Trails and feeding injuries are usually noticed before the slug itself. Slugs overwinter either as adults or as eggs. They become active during the first warm days of spring, and thrive under cool, damp conditions. Populations will be high during/following damp, rainy weather, and will almost disappear during dry periods. Slugs cannot survive direct sunlight. Rock walls, boards, pots and plant debris, as well as shaded flower beds and heavily mulched gardens, serve as ideal daytime resting sites.
  • 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.

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.
  • 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.

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.
  • 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.

Columbine (Aquilegia)

  • Cucumber mosaic (Cucumber mosaic virus)
    Viruses can only be definitively diagnosed in a lab under high magnification or with various serological test kits. Viruses can retard plant growth and change the appearance of foliage, flowers and fruits. Virus-infected leaves can become spotted, streaked or mottled; they may be distorted or stunted. Veins may lose their color or develop outgrowths. Flowers can be dwarfed, deformed, streaked, faded, or they can remain green and develop into leaf-like structures.
  • 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.

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.
  • Rusts (herbaceous) (Several)
    Symptoms of infection usually first appear as light-colored spots on upper leaf surfaces followed by dry, brown, orange, purple, reddish or yellowish spore masses or pustules commonly on the lower leaf surfaces. Each rust species is specific to a certain host genus or species and cannot spread to unrelated plants. Moderate infections will not harm plants, but can make plants unattractive. Heavily infected leaves may curl, wither and drop prematurely. Severely infected plants may be stunted. Rusts spread primarily via windblown spores.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis)

  • 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.
  • Rusts (herbaceous) (Several)
    Symptoms of infection usually first appear as light-colored spots on upper leaf surfaces followed by dry, brown, orange, purple, reddish or yellowish spore masses or pustules commonly on the lower leaf surfaces. Each rust species is specific to a certain host genus or species and cannot spread to unrelated plants. Moderate infections will not harm plants, but can make plants unattractive. Heavily infected leaves may curl, wither and drop prematurely. Severely infected plants may be stunted. Rusts spread primarily via windblown spores.
  • 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)

  • 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.
  • 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)

  • 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.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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.
  • Slug (Order Sytlomatophora)
    Garden slugs are terrestrial mollusks, essentially snails without shells. As they move, they coat surfaces with a silvery, slimy substance. Most feed at night or during dark, cloudy days. Trails and feeding injuries are usually noticed before the slug itself. Slugs overwinter either as adults or as eggs. They become active during the first warm days of spring, and thrive under cool, damp conditions. Populations will be high during/following damp, rainy weather, and will almost disappear during dry periods. Slugs cannot survive direct sunlight. Rock walls, boards, pots and plant debris, as well as shaded flower beds and heavily mulched gardens, serve as ideal daytime resting sites.
  • 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.

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.
  • Mealybug (Pseudococcidae family)
    Characteristically mealybugs are covered in white granular or cotton-like wax. Mealy bug bodies are always soft and the females are oval and flat with distinct segmentation often visible in the wax. Eggs are usually laid in a white cottony material underneath the female. Widespread in greenhouses and indoor plants; not an outdoor problem. Depending on temperature, one generation can develop every 1-3 months.
  • 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.

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)

  • Downy mildew (herbaceous) (Several)
    Early symptoms appear as irregular, light green or yellow angular patches on upper leaf surfaces. Lesions may also be purplish red to dark brown. Under high humidity, downy mildews form fluffy or fuzzy (downy) areas of spores on the undersides of leaves. Under magnification, the downy areas look like very small bunches of branched hairs. Older leaves toward the bottom of plants are usually infected first and wither and brown as the disease proceeds up the stem.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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

  • Animal damage ()
    Animals that do the most damage to herbaceous plants include: deer, rabbits and woodchucks. Deer damage is distinctive because deer only have teeth on their lower jaws, so when they bite down, they must tear the plant to pull off leaves. Thus, deer damage to plants is rough or shredded-looking. It may also be several feet off of the ground. Plus, if a large amount of plant material is damaged overnight, you should suspect deer. Rabbit damage looks like someone used a pruner to cut the plant off at a clean, 45-degree angle. Woodchucks will mow down plants, or sometimes just nibble on succulent material. They are diurnal, so keep on the lookout.
  • 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.
  • Mealybug (Pseudococcidae family)
    Characteristically mealybugs are covered in white granular or cotton-like wax. Mealy bug bodies are always soft and the females are oval and flat with distinct segmentation often visible in the wax. Eggs are usually laid in a white cottony material underneath the female. Widespread in greenhouses and indoor plants; not an outdoor problem. Depending on temperature, one generation can develop every 1-3 months.
  • 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.
  • Slug (Order Sytlomatophora)
    Garden slugs are terrestrial mollusks, essentially snails without shells. As they move, they coat surfaces with a silvery, slimy substance. Most feed at night or during dark, cloudy days. Trails and feeding injuries are usually noticed before the slug itself. Slugs overwinter either as adults or as eggs. They become active during the first warm days of spring, and thrive under cool, damp conditions. Populations will be high during/following damp, rainy weather, and will almost disappear during dry periods. Slugs cannot survive direct sunlight. Rock walls, boards, pots and plant debris, as well as shaded flower beds and heavily mulched gardens, serve as ideal daytime resting sites.
  • 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.

Yarrow (Achillea)

  • 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.
  • Rusts (herbaceous) (Several)
    Symptoms of infection usually first appear as light-colored spots on upper leaf surfaces followed by dry, brown, orange, purple, reddish or yellowish spore masses or pustules commonly on the lower leaf surfaces. Each rust species is specific to a certain host genus or species and cannot spread to unrelated plants. Moderate infections will not harm plants, but can make plants unattractive. Heavily infected leaves may curl, wither and drop prematurely. Severely infected plants may be stunted. Rusts spread primarily via windblown spores.
  • 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-Deciduous-Tree

Ash (Fraxinus)

  • Scab (Venturia inaequalis)
    Scab lesions (diseased areas) are often first noticed on leaves, where they most commonly occur on the upper leaf surface. Fruits are also very susceptible to infection. Lesions on both leaves and fruits are roughly circular with feathery edges, and have an olive green to black color. They can be as small as the size of a pinhead or as large a 1/2 inch in diameter. When the disease is severe, lesions can merge and cover a large portion of the leaf or fruit surface. Defoliation of the tree often follows.

Birch (Betula)

  • Animal damage ()
    Animals that do the most damage to herbaceous plants include: deer, rabbits and woodchucks. Deer damage is distinctive because deer only have teeth on their lower jaws, so when they bite down, they must tear the plant to pull off leaves. Thus, deer damage to plants is rough or shredded-looking. It may also be several feet off of the ground. Plus, if a large amount of plant material is damaged overnight, you should suspect deer. Rabbit damage looks like someone used a pruner to cut the plant off at a clean, 45-degree angle. Woodchucks will mow down plants, or sometimes just nibble on succulent material. They are diurnal, so keep on the lookout.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Buckeye (Aesculus)

  • Animal damage ()
    Animals that do the most damage to herbaceous plants include: deer, rabbits and woodchucks. Deer damage is distinctive because deer only have teeth on their lower jaws, so when they bite down, they must tear the plant to pull off leaves. Thus, deer damage to plants is rough or shredded-looking. It may also be several feet off of the ground. Plus, if a large amount of plant material is damaged overnight, you should suspect deer. Rabbit damage looks like someone used a pruner to cut the plant off at a clean, 45-degree angle. Woodchucks will mow down plants, or sometimes just nibble on succulent material. They are diurnal, so keep on the lookout.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Mealybug (Pseudococcidae family)
    Characteristically mealybugs are covered in white granular or cotton-like wax. Mealy bug bodies are always soft and the females are oval and flat with distinct segmentation often visible in the wax. Eggs are usually laid in a white cottony material underneath the female. Widespread in greenhouses and indoor plants; not an outdoor problem. Depending on temperature, one generation can develop every 1-3 months.
  • 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.

Catalpa (Catalpa)

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Mealybug (Pseudococcidae family)
    Characteristically mealybugs are covered in white granular or cotton-like wax. Mealy bug bodies are always soft and the females are oval and flat with distinct segmentation often visible in the wax. Eggs are usually laid in a white cottony material underneath the female. Widespread in greenhouses and indoor plants; not an outdoor problem. Depending on temperature, one generation can develop every 1-3 months.
  • 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.

Crabapple (Malus)

  • Scab (Venturia inaequalis)
    Scab lesions (diseased areas) are often first noticed on leaves, where they most commonly occur on the upper leaf surface. Fruits are also very susceptible to infection. Lesions on both leaves and fruits are roughly circular with feathery edges, and have an olive green to black color. They can be as small as the size of a pinhead or as large a 1/2 inch in diameter. When the disease is severe, lesions can merge and cover a large portion of the leaf or fruit surface. Defoliation of the tree often follows.

Filbert (Corylus)

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Mealybug (Pseudococcidae family)
    Characteristically mealybugs are covered in white granular or cotton-like wax. Mealy bug bodies are always soft and the females are oval and flat with distinct segmentation often visible in the wax. Eggs are usually laid in a white cottony material underneath the female. Widespread in greenhouses and indoor plants; not an outdoor problem. Depending on temperature, one generation can develop every 1-3 months.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Hackberry (Celtis)

  • 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.
  • Downy mildew (Woody plants) (Peronosporaceae family)
  • 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.
  • Mealybug (Pseudococcidae family)
    Characteristically mealybugs are covered in white granular or cotton-like wax. Mealy bug bodies are always soft and the females are oval and flat with distinct segmentation often visible in the wax. Eggs are usually laid in a white cottony material underneath the female. Widespread in greenhouses and indoor plants; not an outdoor problem. Depending on temperature, one generation can develop every 1-3 months.
  • 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.

Hawthorn (Crataegus)

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Mealybug (Pseudococcidae family)
    Characteristically mealybugs are covered in white granular or cotton-like wax. Mealy bug bodies are always soft and the females are oval and flat with distinct segmentation often visible in the wax. Eggs are usually laid in a white cottony material underneath the female. Widespread in greenhouses and indoor plants; not an outdoor problem. Depending on temperature, one generation can develop every 1-3 months.
  • 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.

Hickory (Carya)

  • Animal damage ()
    Animals that do the most damage to herbaceous plants include: deer, rabbits and woodchucks. Deer damage is distinctive because deer only have teeth on their lower jaws, so when they bite down, they must tear the plant to pull off leaves. Thus, deer damage to plants is rough or shredded-looking. It may also be several feet off of the ground. Plus, if a large amount of plant material is damaged overnight, you should suspect deer. Rabbit damage looks like someone used a pruner to cut the plant off at a clean, 45-degree angle. Woodchucks will mow down plants, or sometimes just nibble on succulent material. They are diurnal, so keep on the lookout.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Mealybug (Pseudococcidae family)
    Characteristically mealybugs are covered in white granular or cotton-like wax. Mealy bug bodies are always soft and the females are oval and flat with distinct segmentation often visible in the wax. Eggs are usually laid in a white cottony material underneath the female. Widespread in greenhouses and indoor plants; not an outdoor problem. Depending on temperature, one generation can develop every 1-3 months.
  • 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.

Maple (Acer)

  • Animal damage ()
    Animals that do the most damage to herbaceous plants include: deer, rabbits and woodchucks. Deer damage is distinctive because deer only have teeth on their lower jaws, so when they bite down, they must tear the plant to pull off leaves. Thus, deer damage to plants is rough or shredded-looking. It may also be several feet off of the ground. Plus, if a large amount of plant material is damaged overnight, you should suspect deer. Rabbit damage looks like someone used a pruner to cut the plant off at a clean, 45-degree angle. Woodchucks will mow down plants, or sometimes just nibble on succulent material. They are diurnal, so keep on the lookout.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Mealybug (Pseudococcidae family)
    Characteristically mealybugs are covered in white granular or cotton-like wax. Mealy bug bodies are always soft and the females are oval and flat with distinct segmentation often visible in the wax. Eggs are usually laid in a white cottony material underneath the female. Widespread in greenhouses and indoor plants; not an outdoor problem. Depending on temperature, one generation can develop every 1-3 months.
  • 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.

Redbud (Cercis)

  • 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.
  • Downy mildew (Woody plants) (Peronosporaceae family)
  • 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.
  • 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.

Serviceberry (Amelanchier)

  • Animal damage ()
    Animals that do the most damage to herbaceous plants include: deer, rabbits and woodchucks. Deer damage is distinctive because deer only have teeth on their lower jaws, so when they bite down, they must tear the plant to pull off leaves. Thus, deer damage to plants is rough or shredded-looking. It may also be several feet off of the ground. Plus, if a large amount of plant material is damaged overnight, you should suspect deer. Rabbit damage looks like someone used a pruner to cut the plant off at a clean, 45-degree angle. Woodchucks will mow down plants, or sometimes just nibble on succulent material. They are diurnal, so keep on the lookout.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Mealybug (Pseudococcidae family)
    Characteristically mealybugs are covered in white granular or cotton-like wax. Mealy bug bodies are always soft and the females are oval and flat with distinct segmentation often visible in the wax. Eggs are usually laid in a white cottony material underneath the female. Widespread in greenhouses and indoor plants; not an outdoor problem. Depending on temperature, one generation can develop every 1-3 months.
  • 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.

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