Gnarly Oak Galls on Pin Oaks

Gnarly-looking leaf galls are appearing on pin oaks in southwest Ohio. The unsightly, lumpy growths are produced by a gnat-like gall-midge, so I’ve commonly called the plant growths Gnarled Oak Leaf Midge Galls. Not very creative, but descriptive.
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Authors
Joe Boggs

Seedy Maples Make Maples Look Seedy

Maples in central and southwest Ohio, particularly red maple are producing heavy seed (samara) loads. Excessive seed production can temporarily cause maples to have stunted leaves or no leaves, particularly towards the top of seedy trees. Consequently, the thin canopies coupled with brown samaras can cause homeowners to ask, “What’s wrong with my maple trees?”
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Authors
Joe Boggs

Dripping Calico Scale

Overwintered Calico Scale females in S.W. Ohio are “puffing up” and pumping out copious quantities of sticky, sugary, honeydew; the calling card of phloem-sucking insects. This is a type of soft scale” owing to the females covering themselves in a soft shell that can be mashed.
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Authors
Joe Boggs

Box Tree Moth (BTM) Update #1

Box tree moth (BTM) caterpillars in southwest Ohio have awakened from their winter slumber meaning Ohio’s BTM hunting season is now open. There is no bag limit. This means it's time to take a close look at boxwoods to find, report, and manage BTM.
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Authors
Joe Boggs
Amy Stone