MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Can you identify this tree?

Question: I am a MG in Big Stone but need help identifying this tree

responder: MJ Replied August 14, 2024, 9:59 AM EDT
response: Hi, I’m not totally sure, but it looks like an elm. That’s my best guess, and that’s what a plant app says too. Thanks.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 14, 2024, 11:33 AM EDT
response: Are you able to tell me what kind of elm?Suzanne M. Souza Extension Educator- 4-H Youth Development, Big Stone CountyBig Stone County Extension Master Gardener Coordinator   11 SE 2nd Street Ortonville, MN 56278   <personal data hidden> <personal data hidden>(FAX) "If a window of opportunity opens, don't pull down the shade." Tom PetersOn Wed, Aug 14, 2024 at 8:59 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 14, 2024, 11:34 AM EDT
response: Are you able to tell me what kind of elm?

responder: MJ Replied August 14, 2024, 10:26 PM EDT
response: I'm afraid I can't. You may be able to narrow it down by looking at photos of elm seedlings online, including what the trunk looks like.  Good luck.
Brown leaves with lace-like holes on my Linden

Question: My Linden is 4 years old and get sfull intense  sun the leaves are turning brown and also has holes in the leaves.  Does that sound like scorch and aphids?  I am not sure how to treat that other than more water?

responder: Dr. Tony KoskiProfessor and Extension Turf SpecialistColorado State UniversityDept. of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture1173 Campus DeliveryFort Collins, CO 80523-1173Mobile/text 970.222.1450Office 970.491.7070tony.koski@colostate.edu  Replied August 16, 2024, 12:38 PM EDT
response: Antoinette, This is the result of Japanese beetle feeding on your linden. Japanese beetle are highly attracted to linden trees. As bad as this may look, the tree will survive the beetle feeding just fine. It's difficult to prevent the beetle feeding on trees - especially large trees.   There are sprays (again, difficult for the home gardener to spray a large tree) that are specific to Japanese beetle that COULD be used to reduce damage next year. The 2 products (same product, just different trade names) are BeetleGon and BeetleJUS!. These products are natural/organic biological controls that will not harm people, pets, wildlife, or pollinators. Here are links to the products: https://beetlegone.com/products/beetlegone https://www.gurneys.com/product/beetlejus-for-ornamental-and-vegetable-pests  Thanks, tony

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 16, 2024, 5:20 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much. I was very worried. I will try the spray. I am glad it is not fatally ill. There is alot of brown in the tree. I  Will learn more about the beetle to see how to keep it away. Grateful for the service that you provide.Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhoneOn Friday, August 16, 2024, 10:38 AM, Ask Extension wrote:
Plum tree

Question: I have a 8 year old plum tree that has always been very productive. This year it out did it's self with a bumper crop, however, as the plums ripened the leaves begain dying. The leaves are yellow but not dry and crumbling.

responder: Jacki D., Master Gardener Diagnostician Volunteer (Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas Counties) Oregon State University Extension Service Volunteer Metro Master Gardeners (http://metromastergardeners.org/) Replied August 17, 2024, 11:10 AM EDT
response: Your plum tree looks very stressed. Grass is growing right up to the trunk, which competes with the tree for water and nutrients. Bark damage from mowers is likely too. A large ring of mulch is recommended. Provide photos of the trunk. Do you see damage? Also, how do you irrigate it? How much moisture is in the soil now? A screwdriver plunged in the soil can give indication without digging. It stops at the dry point.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 20, 2024, 4:24 PM EDT
response: I think it is too late, but I cleared an area around the base of the tree and mulched it. I also sprayed the base of the trunk with pruning dressing. As for watering; it gets watered when I water the lawn weekly and a heavy dose of individual water about every other week, depending on the temperature.On Sat, Aug 17, 2024, 8:10 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Jacki D., Master Gardener Diagnostician Volunteer (Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas Counties) Oregon State University Extension Service Volunteer Metro Master Gardeners (http://metromastergardeners.org/) Replied August 21, 2024, 10:42 AM EDT
response: It does look like you’ve lost the tree based on the recent photos. I’m sorry. Check out this WSU Extension publication on planting trees. It’s good information and I especially like the pictures showing what can go wrong. If you dig out soil around your tree to examine the trunk and roots, you might find the cause of its death. If you are considering replacing your tree, OSU Extension offers a lot of information about fruit trees, some for home orchards, some geared to commercial growers. Here is my example search on the Extension catalog page for “fruit trees” to illustrate the sorts of hits you’ll get.
How to eliminate this plant, including roots

Question: Could you please identify this plant and tell me how to eliminate it - roots and all. It is growing in a bed raised behind a wall made of flat stone (fieldstone?). The bed has Gumpo Azaleas and a Japanese Andromeda (both are decades old) and some Toad Lilies (only a few years old). I used an old product I had on hand, called Finale, to kill all the stems of this plant this past May (about 5 or 6 stems total), but it has returned on different, completely new stems, in the same area, without any apparent setback. They grow very close to (and even within) the azaleas and Toad Lilies and after gaining some height, lean over. The tallest (longest) are currently at 3 feet in height (or length). One of the stems is growing out horizontally between the stones of the wall.

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 August 14, 2024, 8:46 AM EDT
response: That looks like it may be Indian Hemp, a.k.a. Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum). It is a native Maryland plant, and a perennial which returns year to year. See here:   https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=276069&isprofile=0& It has a robust root system and can take more than one application (or perhap season) to control. We'd recommend cutting stems and immediately  dabbing/spraying the stems (or root if you want to dig down further) with an herbicide containing the active ingredient glyphosate, being careful not to contact desirable plants. Treat the stem growing through the wall the same way. Follow all label instructions carefully.   Christine

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 15, 2024, 11:41 AM EDT
response: Thank you. On Wed, Aug 14, 2024 at 8:46 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 August 15, 2024, 11:59 AM EDT
response: You're welcome.
Plant identification

Question: Please identify this plant.  The original seed packet has been misplaced.  Thank you!

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 17, 2024, 3:48 PM EDT
response: What else do you need?

responder: Bill Hutmacher  Replied August 18, 2024, 10:37 AM EDT
response: Thank you for your question.  This looks like Garden orache  (Triplex hortensis).
Spotted lanternfly and unidentified insects

Question: There is a spotted lantern fly on the Japaneses Snowbell in my yard. What can I do to mitigate/prevent an infestation?

Also, please identify the insects on our native butterfly weed. Should this concern us? What do you recommend if this is a concern? 

I attached pics of both for reference.

Thank you,

Harold

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 August 13, 2024, 2:24 PM EDT
response: Hello Harold,  Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) does not kill trees, though they can congregate en masse on their favorite species, which includes the invasive Tree of Heaven (TOH). If the Snowbell is in decline, then the issue is unrelated to those insects, and should be evaluated by a certified arborist or licensed tree expert. (Since you don't mention having problems with dieback in the tree, we presume it looks normal.) Arborists can't cure every ailment, but can help narrow-down a diagnosis.  There is no insecticide that only kills SLF, and any product used could impact a variety of other organisms, including pollinators plus beneficial insects and spiders that would otherwise be eating the lanternflies. (We do not know the impact of insecticides used on SLF for birds that eat them. Bees and some butterflies can be drawn to sugar sources like the residues that can be produced by SLF.) If physically squishing the SLF isn't sufficient to reduce their numbers, then at most you could try spraying them with insecticidal soap, though reports vary about how effective that is, and such sprays should not be used while temperatures are above 85 degrees to avoid plant tissue damage. Since the insects jump or fly readily, they can easily evade being contacted by sprays of lower-toxicity products like insecticidal soap, which requires that the insects be coated in pesticide for it to work.  The other insects are the nymphs (juveniles) of an insect called Large Milkweed Bug. They are native and rely on Milkweeds as a food source just as much as Monarch butterflies do. They can live in large groups, but do not generally cause any damage to the plant and can be ignored. If anything, you can spray them off temporarily with a strong jet of water from a garden hose, but even this is not needed.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 13, 2024, 2:28 PM EDT
response: Thanks so much for the prompt response and the information.  Sent from Proton Mail for iOS On Tue, Aug 13, 2024 at 14:24, 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 August 13, 2024, 2:49 PM EDT
response: You're welcome!
Tree Bark coming unwrapped from Tree

Question: I have a very large tree in my front yard.  Looks very green and healthy but the bark is coming unwrapped from the tree?  Very odd as the tree is very mature.  I would say the tree trunk is about 12 inches in diameter and about 30 feet tall?  The bark is coming unwrapped and I can see the inside of the tree?  What do I do?  Is the tree sick or is this normal?  Is there something I should do to protect the tree?  I don't want to lose it.  Thank You for any advice!!!

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 August 13, 2024, 12:52 PM EDT
response: Hi,  Unfortunately this does not look like a healthy sign for the tree. Has the bark just recently split? Could it have been it by lightening?  We also don't see the root flare at the base where the trunk meets the soil so it could have been planted too deeply years ago. This can lead to a girdling root under the soil that you can't see, that is essentially strangling the tree from water and nutrients in the trunk or canopy.  We would recommend a certified arborist or licensed tree specialist to assess the tree and see what, if anything, can be done to prolong the life of the tree. They may just say that you can enjoy the tree until it starts to decline and if there is danger of a safety hazard if it falls, then have it removed. The links will help you to search for you in your area.  If you have further questions, let us know.  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 13, 2024, 2:11 PM EDT
response: If it was hit by lightning will that kill it?On Tue, Aug 13, 2024 at 12:52 PM 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 August 13, 2024, 3:03 PM EDT
response: It depends on the severity of damage, which is hard to assess from photos. We defer to the evaluation of an arborist, if they can inspect the tree in person. Trees do sometimes live many years beyond what appears to be drastic damage or injury, but it can all depend on whether sapwood (the living layer of the trunk wood, which lies just underneath the bark) succumbs to dieback from opportunistic infection or insect attack. (Once inside the wood, neither a fungal or insect issue can be treated with pesticides.) If the wood at the core of the trunk is most affected by any decay later, that might not be immediately serious, as it's naturally dead wood, and while hollow trees might be a stability risk, plenty of wild trees remain standing for some time after being hollowed-out. Some arborists has extra training in hazard tree evaluation if it comes to the need for determining a fall risk due to decay or root loss.  Miri
Identify a flowering bush

Question: I need to know the name of a flowering bush. How can i send a photo to you?

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied August 13, 2024, 12:50 PM EDT
response: Hi Liz,  This is Rose of Sharon, Althea shrub (Hibiscus syriacus). The cultivar may be 'Helene'? There are several that have white flowers and a red "eye".

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 13, 2024, 1:12 PM EDT
response: Thank you, Alison, for your response. I have two more questions:Is this a Hollyhock Bush?  If not, is there any such plant?Thank you,Liz From: ask=<personal data hidden> On Behalf Of Ask ExtensionSent: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 10:51 AMTo: Liz Frank Subject: Re: Identify a flowering bush (#0151195)

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied August 13, 2024, 4:30 PM EDT
response: Hi Liz,  Hollyhock is a different species (Alcea rosea) and their flowers do look similar. But the Rose of Sharon is a woody shrub and hollyhocks are biennials (vegetation the first year and flowers the second). They reseed to form new plants.  I don't know of a hollyhock bush, though the Rose of Sharon may have various common names, so that may be where things are confusing.   Rose of Sharon is one of the hardy hibiscus plants.
what is in my lake water

Question: I have a cottage on Eight Point Lake in Clare County and the past 2 years I have seen a green/black silty film laying on the surface of the sand.  It is light enough to be blown away when the currents are strong because of the wind.  Sometimes my entire sand is covered in this stuff and when I walk on it, it is fluffy enough to disperse but yet go right back down onto the sand's surface.  This has gotten much worse in the past few years.  My question:  What is it?  Where does it come from?  Can we do something about it?  Will it cause more harm to the lake bottom and possible make the sand more spongy (I think that is already happening).

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 13, 2024, 3:48 PM EDT
response: Hi Karlyn, This looks like organic matter from decaying plants and algae. There may also be some living algae in it, but it would need to be looked at under a microscope.  Oddly enough, I was just on Eight Point Lake conducting an aquatic plant survey and noticed a lot of decaying plants throughout the lake basin. Specifically, it looked like decaying fern pondweed (scientific name: Potamogeton robbinsii) or other types of pondweed.  Have you seen other changes in your lake over this time period? ~Erick

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 13, 2024, 9:23 PM EDT
response: ErickThanks for your quick response. How ironic that you were on the lake doing a study !  We have a water management company that sprays our lake twice a year for Milfoils and nothing else. So, when you say decaying fern pondweed was found on the lake basin does that mean dead fern pondweed at the bottom of the lake ?  If so, I’m not sure if what they are spraying is killing that because they are only spraying for milfoils   Could this decaying fern pondweed be some of the reason that we are getting this organic matter up on the shore and shallow sand?  I have a sample of it in a mason jar and could bring it to you if that would help. I live in Dewitt. Thanks Karlyn wickham Sent from my iPhone On Aug 13, 2024, at 3:48 PM, Ask Extension wrote:﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 16, 2024, 9:12 AM EDT
response: Hi Karlyn, Lake basin clarification: We conducted a quantitative aquatic plant survey across your lake (aka lake basin) in depths from 0- 25 feet deep. We did this by throwing a modified rake attached to a rope at a grid of 300 points we laid across your lake. At a large number of these sampling locations, we found decaying plant material on the lake bottom.  The addition of organic matter to your shoreline could be connected to the decaying plant matter in the lake. But we cannot confirm this.  I'm not able to take samples right now due to other statewide obligations. I would be happy to talk with though. Here's email where we can set up a time: <personal data hidden>
Perpetual wasps

Question: Every year we have a wasp nest in our front yard near our front door. Every year we have numerous stings, kids and pets, and every year we try to rid of nests but they always return. How can we prevent this and what is the best deterrent?

responder: Deb Kroon  Replied August 13, 2024, 1:16 PM EDT
response: Thank you for reaching out to ask2.extension. First let me say I’m not necessarily a person who goes right for chemical answers. If these insects are repeatedly stinging, then you have a reason. My daughter had this issue and after repeatedly getting attacked, we got rid of them.  Wait until dark as the wasps go into the hive at night.  Using a wasp spray and following instructions, go out and spray into the nest.  We used a whole can and covered the hole with a large rock.  We went out again the next night and repeated the process. We haven’t seen a sign of them since. Please follow label instructions.  Good luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 13, 2024, 1:29 PM EDT
response: Thank you, Deb. Yes, we would prefer to live and let live, but this is too close to our front door.  How do we prevent future nests? This is our 4th year of dealing with a new nest (others removed). Thanks for your help. Julie On Tue, Aug 13, 2024, 12:16 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Deb Kroon  Replied August 14, 2024, 3:13 PM EDT
response: I did some more research on the underground wasp.  Nothing is telling me how to prevent them from coming back.  I’m not sure why we got rid of them.  It sounds like you’re not getting the queen.  Maybe bringing in a professional pest control company will help.  May be worth the expense and peace of mind. Sorry I can’t be more help.

responder: Deb Kroon  Replied August 14, 2024, 3:29 PM EDT
response: Thank you Steve!Sent from my iPad On Aug 13, 2024, at 8:38 PM, Ask Extension wrote:﻿
Elm Trees

Question: I have had my elm trees treated for dutch elm disease via injection for  about 5 years. The trees look good foliage wise, the bark came off shortly after  starting treatments. It got to the point they would treat trees every two years.  My question is can you tell if the trees are healthy, pictures attached? Should I continue treatment?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 14, 2024, 9:17 AM EDT
response: That looks like an ash tree, rather than an elm tree.  Are they treating your tree for emerald ash borer?  I'm not sure why the big swath of bark is gone but that portion of the sapwood is dead.  Looks like a woodpecker has been pounding on the trunk too. If you can check and see if the tree is an ash or an elm, that would be helpful - then we can move on.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 14, 2024, 1:27 PM EDT
response: Trees are Green ash.             Dr. Jeffrey Hoyle Faculty - Professional Sales and Marketing   Department Student Advisor Marketing Internship Director Office Smith 109   Central Michigan University  |  Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 Office:<personal data hidden>    |  Mobile:<personal data hidden>   |   E: email: <personal data hidden>  www.cmich.edu: https://www.cmich.edu/people/JEFFREY-ALLEN-HOYLE   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffhoyle/      Office Hours Fall 2024: M/W  9 -10:30 am or by appointment. Schedule at https://bit.ly/3gFlj7a   “I never lose. I either win or I learn.”  Nelson Mandela         From: ask=<personal data hidden> On Behalf Of Ask Extension Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2024 9:17 AM To: Hoyle, Jeffrey Allen  Subject: [External] Re: Elm Trees (#0151167)

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 14, 2024, 2:58 PM EDT
response: If they are green ash, then they are probably being injected for EAB protection.  Ash trees are not affected by Dutch elm disease.  It is difficult to know why the bark came off.  I've never seen that happen because of trunk injected insecticides.  I dont see lots of EAB galleries on the sapwood where the bark came off - something definitely got to the trees.  Could be a pathogen - the area where the woodpecker excavated the hole suggests the wood was soft there and maybe decaying.  I think you will need to get an experienced arborist to look at the trees -  maybe start the whoever has been doing the trunk injections.  They may have an idea as to when the problem started and maybe what is affecting the tree.  The rest of the trees in the photos look good - at least there was lots of foliage and no obvious symptoms of EAB, so I think the trunk injections are working. Deb
Trees

Question: Would you be able to identify two types of pine trees and then recommend a type of pine tree that would be best used to create a nautural barrier between my property and my neighbors. Thank You

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 13, 2024, 1:46 PM EDT
response: the top one is a norway spruce and the bottom is a white pine. In michigan Norway are great options for a visual break but they get rather wide so offset accordingly. a few years of slower growth and then it speeds up after 2-3 years. in 10 years it will be a good size wind and visual break.  jes

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 13, 2024, 2:22 PM EDT
response: Thanks for your help! On Tue, Aug 13, 2024 at 1:46 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: