What’s the Difference Between Tree Burr Knots (Burl) and Crown Galls?

Close up of an old tree limb with burrs or burl growth.

Do your shade, nut, or fruit tree limbs and trunks have unsightly growths on them? If so, they are probably burr knots or crown gall. One is due to roots growing on the stems, while the other is a bacterial infection. Prevention is the best bet for these disorders. Learn how to prevent and, in some cases, control them.

How to Identify and Control Walnut Husk Flies

Side profile of the walnut husk fly (Rhagoletis completa) on a gray background.

Walnut husk flies are damaging pests, particularly in California and Washington State. The flies pupate in the ground for 1-2 years and spend their larval stage hidden inside the husks. However, by monitoring the adults, you will know when to treat these pests before they lay their eggs. Read on to learn how to control these voracious insects.

How to Identify and Prevent Southern Blight on Apple Trees

Since southern blight can infect hundreds of plants and live in the soil for years, it is a severe threat to apple and crabapple trees. Especially if you live in the south, learn how to prevent this disease and keep it at bay with rigorous sanitation.

How to Identify and Control Apple Black Rot and Frogeye Leaf Spot

An apple leaf with frogeye leaf spots. Close up.

The complex of apple black rot cankers, black rot on fruit, and frogeye leaf spot can cause serious losses on apples and crabapples. However, you can minimize the damage by removing dead tissue and mummified fruit. Read on to learn the details of controlling these diseases.

How to Prevent and Control Armillaria Root Rot on Apricots

Mature Armillaria fungi growing at the base of a tree.

The fungus Armillaria attacks trees and shrubs in a wide variety of soils around the world. It can cause a fatal root rot on all fruit trees, including apricots. Read on to learn how to prevent this tree killer from infecting your apricot tree.

How to Identify and Prevent Crown Gall on Apple

A large crown gall growing on the trunk of residential apple tree.

Crown gall bacteria can infect apples, crabapples, peaches, pears, nectarines, apricots, and plums throughout the world – causing unsightly growths that can girdle the trees and kill them. Read on to find out how to prevent this soil-borne disease from attacking your fruit trees.

How to Identify and Control Bot Rot on Apple Trees

Three apples in various stages of rot from Botryosphaeria dothidea.

Bot rot (white rot) can result in cankers on the limbs and twigs and fruit rot that may not show until your apples or crabapples rot after storage. Fortunately, this fungus only infects trees that are stressed. Read on to learn how to prevent infections from occurring.

What Is Citrus Greening Disease?

An orange with HLB growing on a tree, with grass and a cloudy sky, and other trees in soft focus in the background.

California is trying to avoid Florida’s fate of the destruction of its citrus industry due to citrus greening. Homeowners are the focus of preventing the spread of this lethal disease because all of the infected trees in California have been residential trees. Read on to discover what you can do to protect your tree.

The Benefits of Using Soil Inoculants and Microbes in the Garden

Graphic image of beneficial soil bacteria of different species.

Soil is naturally full of beneficial microbes and nematodes that can help to prevent or even control plant diseases. Did you know you can increase the numbers of these useful organisms and improve the health of your garden by adding them as soil inoculants? Learn more about these fungi, bacteria, and other beneficials.

How to Identify, Prevent, and Treat Scab in Stone Fruits

A human hand holds up a peach infected with scab fungus.

Apricot, peach, nectarine, and plum fruit are susceptible to the unsightly scab disease. Wet weather triggers its spread, but the fungus can lurk on your trees undetected until the tree starts producing fruit. Read now to learn how to control this disease using cultural methods and, if necessary, fungicides.