Most tree and shrub diseases affecting plants are fungal in nature. Fungus emits spores that travel from plant to plant by vectors such as wind, rain and bees. Different fungus attack plant tissue in different ways. Some attack stems and trunks of plants, these are known as cankers. Canker is primarily found on the trunk of [...]

Many of the hemlocks in Massachusetts have been affected by woolly adelgid. If you’ve noticed a white “woolly looking fuzz” on your Hemlocks, it’s a sure sign that the woolly adelgids are making a home in your trees. Once the infestation has taken hold, you’ll notice that the tree has little or no new growth on limbs and [...]

In the aftermath of a severe wind storm, many homeowners ask a simple question about their trees: Will they survive? That question arises from the initial impulse to “get this mess cleaned up.” But hasty decisions can often result in removing trees that could have been saved. Follow these simple guidelines in administering care to your [...]

Dry weather can be detrimental to tree and shrub health. Low precipitation and midsummer drought conditions can adversely affects trees and shrubs and overall plant health. Both the mortality of newly planted trees and shrubs and the growth and aesthetic appeal of established landscape plants can be compromised. Signs of stress from poor water conditions [...]

Many Massachusetts area Hemlocks have been hit by the hemlock woolly adelgid. The woolly adelgid have no native predators, which makes it extremely difficult to fight. Concerned about your hemlocks? If they have a grayish appearance and are dropping needles, especially on the interior of the branches, then you may have an infestation of hemlock woolly adelgid.  The hemlock woolly [...]

In the aftermath of a severe wind storm, many homeowners ask a simple question about their trees: Will my trees survive? That question arises from the initial impulse to “get this mess cleaned up.” But hasty decisions can often result in removing trees that could have been saved. Follow these simple guidelines in administering care to your [...]

Lace bug continues to be a problem for azaleas and broad leafed evergreens, especially andromeda. Plants should be treated in june when they are active. Using merit (imidacloprid) in the fall will help protect susceptable plants the following season. This can eliminate timing and weather related issues the following spring. While not lethal, lace bug [...]

Winter Moth, an invasive pest introduced from Europe and the Near East, causes severe defoliation of hardwood trees.  Winter Moth is appropriately named, as adult moths are generally active from November through January.  Winter Moth, which arrived in Massachusetts about 11 years ago, is more of a problem in southeastern Massachusetts, particularly on the Cape and islands, but [...]

Top 10 Winter Tree Care Tips: It’s important to evaluate trees for weaknesses that can be susceptible to winter weather. Here are ten winter tree care tips to help you prevent problems to trees and shrubs. • Remove fallen leaves from beneath disease susceptible trees and shrubs, (dogwoods, crabapples) • Prune disease infected limbs when dormant, eliminating further [...]

During cold winter months, trees are at the mercy of the weather and subjected to hazards that can harm trees and shrubs. Weather related tree injuries can be caused by extreme temperature changes, lack of water supply, chemicals in soil and water, and transplant shock and mechanical injury. Low Temperature Tree Injury: When a tree is [...]