Each fall mother nature provides us with a visual kaleidoscope of colors from deep purples to golden yellows to raging reds. Unfortunately, this cornucopia of colors does not last. For many of us it becomes a dreaded chore of raking, blowing, piling, bagging, and hauling leaves. Save yourself lots of …
I once said that I have never seen an euonymous without scale. The same can be said of arborvitae. I have never seen one without leaf blight. Leaf blight (Pestalotiopsis funeraea) is prevalent on arborvitae and other related species such as Leyland cypress, false cypress (Chamaecyparis spp.) and junipers. It is …
Summer Weeds: Marching into August, I am still encountering many broadleaf weed invaders. My backyard borders a former pasture and is the source for many weed seeds of which red, white, and yellow sweet clover are most problematic. The former pasture provides a great backdrop that transitions into a wooded …
Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) The nymphs and adults of this invasive pest can significantly impact shade and fruit trees, grape vines, and shrubs and can be a major nuisance in the home landscape. Both the nymphs and adults are capable of feeding on the various plant parts to cause damage that …
Get Your Gator On; Save Your Trees. Prolonged dry conditions can really wreak havoc on newly planted trees, and if severe enough, tree death can occur. This past spring (June 2020) I planted a maple (Acer rubrum ‘Sun Valley’) in my backyard and last fall the township planted a similar …
Here in central Pennsylvania dry weather has caused an increase in pest pressure particularly piercing-sucking insects such as White Fly, Leafhoppers, and even some grasshoppers. This past week I found these pests in just about of all my newly planted shrubs (early June 2020) including Yellow Twig Dogwood, Golden Cypress, …
Tough Weeds! As summer marches on broadleaf weeds such as lamb’s quarters, plantain, purslane, dandelions and white clover to name a few will continue to emerge and persist in your lawn. The avid lawn care enthusiast who is concerned about the health and well-being of children, pets, and the environment …