White Pine Aphids (Cinara strobi, family Aphididae) are specific to their namesake host, Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus). These conifer aphids may be found on the stems of white pines anywhere the trees are grown.

Each week, the Clinic receives plant and pest samples to be diagnosed in a timely manner. Below is a table of last week's completed samples. This information can also be found on the Clinic's website at: https://ppdc.osu.edu/

Oak wilt is a disease caused by the fungal organism Bretziella fagacearum. The disease can spread both underground and above ground. The disease is spread underground to healthy oaks through the root system of infected oak trees. Additionally, sap-sucking beetles can be attracted to the fungal mats that form under the bark of infected, dead oaks and can spread the disease above ground as they move to uninfected oaks.

Popular folklore holds that bristly "woolly bear" caterpillars are like the Oracle of Delphi for predicting winter weather. This is a myth, but it’s still a good story.

This is the time of the year when concerned landowners may ask, “what’s killing my white pines?” It’s normal for Eastern white pines (Pinus strobus) and other conifers to shed their inner needles in the fall.

Up here in sugar maple land, everyone wants to know when the leaf colors will change and if it will be a good year for colors.  Like always, I give them the solid scientific response to their questions of “When they are ready”… and “Yep, it could be a good year!”  So, I thought I’d review the science as to why leaves change colors and then maybe you can forecast your own “fall color spectrum” chances.

 

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Bois D’Arc was the original name Europeans gave to Osage-orange (Maclura pomifera (family Moraceae (mulberry family)). Other common names that have developed over time include mock-orange, hedge-apple, horse-apple, hedge balls, monkey balls, and monkey brains. I’m not sure how monkeys crept into the name game.

As I was outside soaking up the glorious October warmth and sunshine, I suddenly noticed little flecks of green scattered out in the landscape beds.  Intrigued and forever curious, I wandered over, saw what was growing and I got a twitch in my eye.  I remembered receiving an email from a reader telling me that I should remind everyone about seasonal timing and control of this despicable landscape curse.  I wrote this Spring (April 23, 2021) in an attempt to stem the tide of the prolific green horde of wicked plants taking over the garden world...but of course, they have...

Late-season defoliation of established deciduous trees is not usually of great concern. There is little impact on overall tree health because trees have produced and stored enough carbohydrates to support leaf production next spring. Indeed, we’re close to the time of the year when deciduous trees drop their leaves anyway.

People are seeing fungi popping up all over. Tune in for this Friday's OSU Woodland Stewards Escape on Fungi in the Field and Woods with Curtis Young.