MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Heritage River Birch dripping

Question: I have a 25 year old Heritage River Birch that has developed black patches and is dripping sap for the first time this year.
I read online that it is possible infested with aphid and the stick honeydew is resulting in these black moldy patches.
Anything I can do besides heavy chemicals?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 20, 2023, 2:08 PM EDT
response: Hi Diana,  Thanks for reaching out.  I don't think the problem with the tree  would be aphids as they usually accumulate on the leaves, and there are no leaves this time of year.  I can't tell from your pictures what kind of oozing is happening, or for that matter, see the oozing at all.  Would it be possible to send a picture that is a close up of the dripping sap?  You can also request a visit from our tree team.  They are tree experts and will come out to your home for a $25 fee.  Their number is:<personal data hidden> if you would like to schedule a visit.  Thank you, and we look forward to your response. CSU Master Gardener Desk

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 23, 2023, 1:36 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your response.Attached are 2 more photos.  Both show the pruned cut from which the limb is dripping, not oozing. It just looks like drops of water dripping from the pruned cut. This entire limb is about 3 feet long from the trunk anda one inch diameter at the pruned cut.Diana ShepardOn Thu, Apr 20, 2023 at 12:08 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 24, 2023, 3:32 PM EDT
response: Diana,  Thank you for the pictures. It looks like you may have several other birch on your property also.  I have included 2 articles on problems with River Birch. From what I am see in these articles aphids do not seem to attack the trunks of the trees but the leaves. I know we are used to seeing, in Colorado, the blackening on trunks of aspen that is caused by aphids. I wonder if the blackening on the trunks and the weeping at the pruning site are caused by canker rot.  I would encourage you to contact a licensed arborist to confirm or deny this problem and help keep your beautiful river birch healthy.  https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5310329.pdf https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/birch/branchesgrowth.html Boulder County Master Gardener Petrea
Yellow and brown spots on Nelly Steven Holly leaves

Question: We planted our Nelly Steven Holly tress in November. After winter and an ice storm passed here in Leander, Texas some of our Nelly Stevens Holly trees show some brown-gray spots and some yellow  leaves. I water them two time at week with the sprinklers. I don't know if they have any best or if I am watering properly.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 20, 2023, 12:43 PM EDT
response: Based off leaf color it would appear you may be overwatering your holly plants.  Holly's have a waxy leaf surface that helps them retain water.  Water them once a week when it doesn't rain and they should do fine.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 20, 2023, 1:36 PM EDT
response: What about gray spots on the leaves? Thank you!

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 20, 2023, 1:40 PM EDT
response: appear to be a fungus also related to the overwatering.
What is wrong with my Star Jasmine?

Question: I have 2 Star Jasmine plants that are 3 years old and planted in amended clay soil. They are about 3' north of a 6' fence, but receive lots of sun in the spring/summer/fall. Both are on drip irrigation. One is thriving, and the other is not. The second one has brown spots on the leaves and some leaves have yellowish speckles and is less than half as full as the other. I don't see any visible pests. Photos are attached. I'm hoping to find out if there is something I can do to revive the ailing plant, and prevent the same thing from happening to the other, or if I should remove both. Also, I am an organic gardener.

responder: Rhonda Frick-Wright  Replied April 21, 2023, 3:22 PM EDT
response: Hi Carolyn and thanks for your question and great pictures of your star jasmine plants.   According to Jean Natter, a Master Gardner Diagnostician: "Star jasmine is marginally hardy here in the Pacific Northwest. The red spots and blotches are a response to low temperatures. A more severe indication of excessively low temperatures would be dropped leaves.  If low temperatures threaten again (which they might on Tuesday), consider temporary protection during the coldest hours. You can use a commercially packaged frost blanket, a non-woven fabric you can obtain at a garden center. Or, in an emergency, throw a bed sheet over the trellised plant.  Caution: Be certain to remove the protection during daylight hours when temperatures rise."  The plant on the right may be getting just a bit more protection than the one on the left, but you can cut off the damaged leaves of the ailing one and hope it recovers. Also, be sure to look at the undersides of the leaves with the yellow speckles. If you see something that looks like pepper, you may have an insect problem and need to spritz with neem oil.   Good luck and let's hope the cold snaps are finally over next week!

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 21, 2023, 7:40 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much Rhonda, I appreciate the information. My previous gardens were all in the San Francisco Bay Area, where Jasmine was nearly indestructible! I didn't think of the cold weather being a factor. I did check for signs of insects but didn't see any.  Thanks again,CarolynOn Fri, Apr 21, 2023 at 12:22 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
White bumps at bottom of young redbud tree

Question: We discovered some white hard bumps on the bottom of redbud tree we planted last year.   Please help identify what this is if possible and if there is some action we should take.

responder: Answered by theHome and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied April 20, 2023, 11:39 AM EDT
response: These remind us of either a type of cocoon of perhaps a type of fungal growth. We can't tell from your photo- how large are they, and are they firm/hard? Dent to the touch?   Christine

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 20, 2023, 7:06 PM EDT
response: These are firm  and the size of a blue bird egg.  They seem to have a webbing all over them…we didn’t press hard, but no dent.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 20, 2023, 7:06 PM EDT
response: These are firm  and the size of a blue bird egg.  They seem to have a webbing all over them…we didn’t press hard, but no dent. The tree is young and probably only 1 1/2 inches thick…the photo is zoomed in.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied April 21, 2023, 11:10 AM EDT
response: Thank you for the additional information. If the tree appears healthy, these objects are probably not a decay fungus, since with this much mushroom growth (if that's what they are), the tree would probably be starting to decline or have dead limbs. Some insect cocoons are woven from pretty tough silk so might take a decently-firm poke to dent or deform. Cocoons don't necessarily mean the insect inside is a pest, however. If these are cocoons, they will likely be detachable if firmly tugged away from the trunk. (Use gloves just in case it was a caterpillar species that has hairs that cause skin to itch/sting since some of those species incorporate those hairs into their cocoon covering to deter predators.)  Otherwise, there is no harm in leaving these objects alone because even if this was a fungal growth, removing it will not alter its impacts on the tree overall, and if cocoons, the insect is no longer feeding and the adults that emerge will not be likely to damage the redbud or other nearby plants. (Adults insects usually do not eat what their larvae ate, especially in the case of caterpillars  because adults do not possess mouthparts that can chew.)  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 21, 2023, 1:20 PM EDT
response: Thank you very much!On Fri, Apr 21, 2023 at 11:10 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied April 21, 2023, 2:07 PM EDT
response: You're welcome!
Parasitic Worm/Fluke Identification

Question: I began getting 1x2 inch oval patterns of red dots on my arms and legs that had 1/4 inch hairs sticking out of each dot at a 45 degree angle. They turned into very deep wounds, and after 4 months, I started seeing white worms around the edges that I could not remove. My doctors didn't see them. After several more weeks I pooped out a toilet full of nothing but water and 2 - 3 inch long parasites that looked like shrimp. See pictures. Unfortunately I didn't save the parasites. Finally, I found the drug Combantrin on eBay and it worked. I had a dead, white worm hanging out of a wound. My doctor could not identify it. I am desperate to know what I had so I don't get it again! If you can identify the creatures in the attached pictures, please contact me.

responder: Roberto M. Pereira, Ph.D.  EXTENSION PROFESSOR Florida Pest Management Assoc. Endowed Professor   Replied May 25, 2023, 8:17 AM EDT
response: None of these pictures seem good enough to allow an identification.  Your doctor should be able to refer any sample to an appropriate laboratory for investigation if he/she thinks it is necessary.  We do not deal with medical problems in this forum.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 25, 2023, 7:02 PM EDT
response: Hi Roberto,Thanks for your kind reply! I was cured when I found the medication Combantrin. As a scientist, it's the metamorphological stages that are the most baffling. The one image of the creatures I passed is quite clear. Zooming in, you can see the eyes and reproductive bursa, which resembles some nematodes. But the larval stage, and especially the pairs of black suckers are unique. In one photo, at the bottom, a small pair repeatedly poked through my skin. What does that?It really is an intriguing mystery - even the phylum would be helpful! I'm really concerned for others here in Hawaii. The Department of Health is involved, but has limited resources here. Thanks,John Salisbury Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android  On Thu, May 25, 2023 at 2:17 AM, Ask Extension<<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Roberto M. Pereira, Ph.D.  EXTENSION PROFESSOR Florida Pest Management Assoc. Endowed Professor   Replied May 26, 2023, 8:12 AM EDT
response: I really do not see in the pictures what you referred to, but I am glad you are not concerned about this problem any more.

responder: The Question Asker Replied November 09, 2024, 7:15 PM EST
response: Hi,Can you please tell me what these bugs are? They are coming out of wounds in my arms and legs.Thanks! John Salisbury Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer  On Fri, May 26, 2023 at 2:12 AM, Ask Extension wrote:

responder: Roberto M. Pereira, Ph.D.  EXTENSION PROFESSOR Florida Pest Management Assoc. Endowed Professor   Replied November 12, 2024, 7:52 AM EST
response: The bettles you have are on the pictures look similar to storage pests beetles .  Look at this information: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IG095  The rest are not bugs at all !  I will be glad to talk with your physicians if they want an opinion from an entomologist.
Please ID pest & tree, give solves

Question: Hi, 3 pix from Chromo CO.  Need help ID'ing tree, pest, and some care solutions so it doesn't spread in the community! Thanks so much!

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 19, 2023, 7:01 PM EDT
response: Hello and thank you for your question.   This looks like a grand Rocky Mountain Juniper.  The holes are exit holes from what could be a number of borers.  The thing to know is that most of those borers have one generation lifecycle in a year, and that once the tree is infected, there is nothing to do to save the tree.  You can hatchet into the tree to see what the galleries look like to help identify the specific borer, but the treatment will be the same. You can spray a carbaryl product on those trees you want to save, but this is only preventative.  This will help for any borer prevention.    If you need further assistance, please contact my office at<personal data hidden>.  Thank you.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 19, 2023, 7:40 PM EDT
response: That was amazingly quick!! I appreciate your help!!Dawn OlsonOn Wed, Apr 19, 2023 at 5:01 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Identifying a plant/Weed

Question: Please see the following photos of a plant that is growing amongst rocks and ruble.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 19, 2023, 4:35 PM EDT
response: Are you able to identify this plant?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 20, 2023, 3:35 PM EDT
response: Hi Cindy, The plant in the photo is purple (blue) mustard (Chorispora tenella). Here is a short read about the plant in our CO-Horts Blog by Tony Koski. If you have any other questions please let us know.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 20, 2023, 4:36 PM EDT
response: Thank you kindly for the identification and quick response. Have a fantastic day! On Thu, Apr 20, 2023 at 1:35 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Rabbit Shrub Damage

Question: This is a first in fourty years ... our beautiful Cotoneaster Hedges have been brutally girdled by the rabbits this winter, in spite of having had metal fencing surrounding the hedges due to the large mounds of adjacent snow piles. Please advise of possible treatments that we could use to help restore the shrubs. We have read about potassium polyphosphate as an option, but am uncertain if this is a good idea. Your recommendation(s) would be greatly appreciated!!

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied April 19, 2023, 4:51 PM EDT
response: Thank you for writing. This was a brutal winter for rodent damage.  Although the girdled branches may or will not survive, the plant will.  It has strong roots.  I would leave them alone for a while so that they can feed the roots.  Cut dead branches (branches without buds) off as it apparent that they will not have any leaves. This is a good time to prune for shape, focusing on the most damaged or older branches.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 20, 2023, 12:31 AM EDT
response: THANK YOU for your reply!!!
Caterpillar infestation

Question: Hello,
I’m in Parkville and have a tree with hundreds of these caterpillars. They are causing significant damage and I wanted to confirm ID. 
I did multiple searches but was unable to find it.

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied April 19, 2023, 2:13 PM EDT
response: These appear to be the Euonymus Leaf Notcher caterpillar, a pest of Euonymus (the evergreen shrub in the photo). You can view images of the adult plus a few other caterpillar photos in Maryland Biodiversity Project's gallery page for this species. Management is fairly straightforward, and includes searching for and removing egg masses over the winter; refer to the page linked above for more information. (We need to update that page, but it has enough accurate information to still be useful for the time being.) You could prune out, bag, and trash any branches that are heavily infested or hand pick off any caterpillars. Even if the plant looks sparse after pruning, Euonymus is a fast grower and should fill back in by the end of the summer.  If pesticides are warranted due to other control methods failing, you can try one containing the naturally-occurring bacterium Bt (the strain used for caterpillars), which poisons them after they ingest treated leaves. It will not be specific to this caterpillar alone, so use caution when applying so other plants nearby aren't contaminated since other caterpillar species are vulnerable to this treatment. You could also attempt a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Just read the label descriptions and make sure they are formulated for caterpillars and be sure to follow the directions when applying.Worst-case (or ideally), remove an infested Euonymus and replace it with another species. While we do have one or two native Euonymus species in Maryland, the evergreen types used in landscaping are not native to North America. In fact, at least one of them (a groundcover/climbing form called Wintercreeper) is invasive.  Let us know if you have further questions with this.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 19, 2023, 4:57 PM EDT
response: Thank you so so much!!!!On Wed, Apr 19, 2023 at 14:13 Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied April 20, 2023, 9:01 AM EDT
response: You're welcome!
Leaf Issue - Green then Brown Dots

Question: For the last few years I have noticed that leaves on two small trees in my yard (the same type of tree) have green dots growing on them. These dots eventually become dark brown. The dots spread somewhat throughout the summer to my large oak tree located next to these two small trees. Once the leaves fall, the oak tree's new leaves are not infected with them, though I expect the dots will spread again to them this year. Are these dots some kind of harmful bacteria, fungus, or non beneficial insect larva, and if so, can it be treated or should I cut down these two small trees? Thank you for your guidance!

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 19, 2023, 2:21 PM EDT
response: The dots you are seeing are actually leaf galls.  A small wasp lays its eggs on the leaf and a gall develops that contains the larvae.  These are quite common on a number of trees including oaks.  Leaf galls are not considered harmful to the tree's health and are more of a cosmetic issue best left alone.  Oak Tree Critters (i.e., Galls) - HOrT COCO-UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa - ANR Blogs (ucanr.edu)

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 19, 2023, 2:45 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much! Can you also tell me what type of tree the leaf came from? I can't find what it is.  On Wed, Apr 19, 2023 at 2:21 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 20, 2023, 9:22 PM EDT
response: Can you send some photos of the 1) entire tree, 2) bark, and 3) leaf arrangement on the branch? This will help with the i.d..

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 01, 2023, 3:06 PM EDT
response: The trunk photo is from a larger one of these trees in my backyard. The “full” tree photo shows two of the trees next to each other. Hopefully these pictures will help. Thank you! On Thu, Apr 20, 2023 at 9:22 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 05, 2023, 11:11 PM EDT
response: From your pictures it appears you have a hickory tree (Genus Carya).  There are several different types that commonly grow in NC.
How to save trees from erosion along a creek running through a neigborhood

Question: A small creek in a tree-lined ravine runs through our neighborhood. A few years ago, the emerald ash-borer killed a number of the trees which, during several bad storms a year or two ago fell or large branches broke off. A number of the portions of trees that fell partly block the flow of the creek, especially after a heavy rain. We are concerned that the backed-up stream during these episodes will greatly weaken the ground support for many of the remaining trees along the creek and lead to more of them falling as well. We are looking for advice as to how to preserve the trees that remain, how much clean-up of downed material would be reasonable. I am writing on behalf of our neighborhood association. Thank you.

responder: Julie Crick  Replied April 19, 2023, 1:00 PM EDT
response: Hi Larry, I recommend that you call Ben Savoie, Conservation District Forester to come out to take a look and make recommendations. Ben is a service forester, and there is no cost to meet with him and talk about what would be best for this forested stream.  Ben works out of the Barry Conservation District office and can be reached at<personal data hidden>.  https://www.allegancd.org/forestry Ben covers Barry, Allegan, and Ottawa Counties.  When scheduling with Ben, perhaps you could invite others in the neighborhood to join? He's a wealth of knowledge and will enlighten folks on all aspects of the shared woodland, including what's best for the stream.  Thank you, -Julie

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 19, 2023, 4:28 PM EDT
response: Thank you. And, yes, our hope was that several of us on the HOA board of directors could be there to meet with whichever expert we could find to review the area and the recommendations.   Thanks for getting back to me so promptly.  I’ll reach out to Ben Savoie.   Thanks again.   Larry.   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 1:01 PM To: Hembroff, Larry <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: How to save trees from erosion along a creek running through a neigborhood (#0096224)
What are these scale-like things on this pachysandra stem?

Question: Please see attached photo. These dark brown insect-like scales appear on pachysandra stems i areas where the plants are thin. The leaves o not seem affected.

responder: Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied April 19, 2023, 1:16 PM EDT
response: If it were a disease the leaves would also have brown patches.  Are the stems of other plants the same?  Do the scales scrap off?  I cannot find any photos of pachysandra stems to compare.  Check the other areas and see what their stems look like.  If it is just the one area and the others are free of the brown scales, remove the plants.  If all the others look the same, then it is the natural state.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 20, 2023, 8:11 AM EDT
response: Thank you Barbara,  After a little more research I am pretty sure they are oystershell scale insects, as they match the photos and description form this UNH extension article https://extension.unh.edu/sites/default/files/migrated_unmanaged_files/Resource002818_Rep4173.pdfI've seen them on pachysandra on pachysandra on a number of sites throughout the Hennepin county metro. They seem to be wiping out small patches of the plant. I may be able to treat them in June with some horticultural oil.Thank you--Molly Petermeier Garden Care LeadTangletown GardensShoppe:612.822.4769www.tangletowngardens.comwww.wiseacreeatery.com    Support local. Eat local. Shop local. On Wed, Apr 19, 2023 at 12:16 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: