Whatsamata?
Whatsamata?
"It's dead," was my former Extension Agent's favorite response when clients brought in browned-out samples and asked, "What's wrong with my plant?" Stating the obvious with a smile wasn't exactly what they anticipated.
Is it insect, disease, environmental, or physical/mechanical injury?
Physical injury is one of the easiest to identify, but often the last thing we consider. A surprised homeowner finally figured out the problem with her willow tree as she watched a beaver doing the backstroke across the pond with remnants of the tree dangling from his mouth. It isn't always that obvious.
Close inspection and narrowing of clues helps pin down the problem. Plant detectives consider many indicators:
-Weather conditions usually affect more than one plant.
-Soil conditions and planting can vary for individual plants in a mass planting. Check the base of the plant for correct planting depth--the root ball needs to be flush with the surrounding soil. And moisture--is the soil soggy, dry, or ideally, lightly moist?
-Insects often are attracted to an entire mass planting rather than a single plant, unless one plant is already in weakened condition--a magnet to pests. Check above ground for chewing, piercing/sucking damage. Pests that attack roots are more difficult to diagnose.
- Check for signs of disease. Pathogens can begin on one plant and spread--time will tell.
Even if we correctly diagnose the problem, on a tall tree, treatment might be out of reach. Regardless, for this one, it's too late. Agent Ward would be right, "It's dead."Further investigation will help protect the remaining trees from a similar fate.
If you need help troubleshooting, Cooperative Service Extention staff can ID the source of the problem and recommend the best course of action. Search for your local service by state and county at https://nifa.usda.gov/land-grant-colleges-and-universities-…
~ LowTide explorer, Carolyn Fjeran
Comments
Post a Comment