MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Arborist:  maple tree root girdling

Question: See enclosed photo of roots encircling base of tree.  Should I cut them to stop girdling effect?

responder: Hania Oleszak  Replied June 02, 2023, 2:57 PM EDT
response: Hi Jon, Because the roots are still small and not yet touching the trunk, I would go ahead and carefully prune/remove them to prevent future problems. However, there are always inherent risks when removing roots, particularly in that the tree can be injured. The tree does appear to be planted deep, which likely caused the circling of the roots, and makes me question the long-term stability and vitality of the tree. Just something to keep in mind! Hania

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 02, 2023, 3:16 PM EDT
response: Sorry to repeat the question but, I guess, “what would you do if yours?”Should I cut a section out of the circling root?The tree is very healthy looking and about 25 ft +- tall. If I don’t cut the root won’t it girdle itself in time, and if so what happens then?Thanks,Jon On Fri, Jun 2, 2023 at 12:57 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Hania Oleszak  Replied June 06, 2023, 10:39 AM EDT
response: Hi Jon, I would carefully cut the root out - I just wanted you to know that there are some inherent risks when messing with the roots. Over time though, the circling roots can actually choke the tree and cut off it's ability to circulate water and nutrients.  The reason I mention the deep planting of the tree is because you might see some issues with the tree down the road. Many issues in trees can be attributed to incorrect planting of the tree, even many years after the tree was transplanted. If the tree is small enough, you could consider replanting the tree, following these guidelines: https://static.colostate.edu/client-files/csfs/pdfs/TreePlanting_636.pdf. Afterwards, it's important to care for the recently transplanted tree correctly (more information here: https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/635.pdf). Otherwise, you could leave it as is and hope for the best, although managing a tree is easier when it's smaller than larger! Hopefully that helps! Hania

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 06, 2023, 2:17 PM EDT
response: Thanks for your help!I appreciate very much the extension program. I am a Iowa State Agronomy grad from ‘61 who served as county extension council president a couple of terms during my 38 years of livestock farming in Southwest Iowa. Sorry for taking your time with my reminiscing…….. On Tue, Jun 6, 2023 at 8:39 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Hania Oleszak  Replied June 06, 2023, 2:22 PM EDT
response: Hi Jon, You're very welcome! My background is actually in soil science and I am super interested in agriculture, so that's very cool to hear! :) All the best,Hania

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 06, 2023, 2:27 PM EDT
response: On Tue, Jun 6, 2023 at 12:22 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Brown spots or scabs on apple tree leaves

Question: I just wrote a question about what we think are aphids on our apple tree, but there are also a few small brown spots or scabs on some of the leaves, so I thought it might be something separate from the possible mites or lice that I saw with their white nests. Are these scabs from fungi? What should we do? Is there a homeopathic treatment that might be less dangerous than a commercial chemical treatment? Thanks for your help.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 09, 2023, 3:20 PM EDT
response: Those look like leaf lesions from a disease called Apple Scab (caused by the fungus Venturia inaequalis). You can read more about it here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/ipm/diseases/apple_scab?language_id= Cultural practices such as sanitation (cleaning up diseased leaves and fruit from the orchard floor) and pruning to improve air flow and light penetration, will help reduce the disease incidence.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 09, 2023, 4:21 PM EDT
response: Thanks. I’ll check the link you provided.*****Find passion, purpose, and presence every day of your life. On Jun 9, 2023, at 3:20 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿
Only leaves on top of the tree

Question: Dear expert,

I don't know the name of the tree in my backyard. It might be some kind of maple tree. It was planted eight years ago and had been grown fine. I was out of town in May and came back finding only leaves on the top of the tree. Not sure the leaves on the bottom fell out or didn't grow this year. I notice the bark has peeled more than other similar trees. Could you please advise what I can do to save the tree?

Thank you very much!
Betty

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 June 02, 2023, 12:50 PM EDT
response: Hello Betty and thanks for your question. We notice the peeling bark that you mention on the base of the tree, and that, along with the leaves that have fallen tells us that the tree is not a maple but actually a Sycamore tree. Sycamores are great native trees that grow large and with age develop a lovely patchy bark showing white underneath. They tend to grow along wet areas, and in the winter you may notice them stand out in forests. The dropped leaves are common in reaction to a native disease that evolved right along with them, called Anthracnose. While it looks concerning, it's not, and those leaves will regrow by the end of the summer. (It's been a big year for that disease this year).  We would suggest, now that your tree is larger, that you go ahead and extend the mulch ring around it. Your other tree would appreciate that too. Be careful not to have mulch too deep (no more than 3 inches or so) and keep it pulled back from being in contact with the trunk. See too if you can pull back mulch/soil so that you can uncover the trunk 'flare' or widening that should be visible before the trunk goes into the ground. Here is our mulch page which will tell your more: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/mulching-trees-and-shrubs   Christine

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 05, 2023, 2:44 PM EDT
response: Hi Christine, Thank you for your explanation. I did pull back some mulches to uncover the trunk flare and saw a thin stick/branch? sticking out. Please see the red circle in attached image. I'm wondering if I should leave it alone or cover it with dirt/mulch ... Thanks again!!

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 June 07, 2023, 10:20 AM EDT
response: You can clip that off. It may be just be an old sprout.  We do think you could still remove more soil as we don't see much of the root flare yet.   Christine
Fig tree problem

Question: What might be the problem with a 1 year old fig tree that was planted in the ground about a week ago.  Once planted in the ground the leaves started to turn white, see picture fig tree2, and then 3 days later brown, see picture fig tree1.  There is no visible insect infestation and the tree has been sprayed with Neem oil. This time of year the tree is in direct sun from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Any suggestions as to what this is and what I can do to save the tree?

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 June 01, 2023, 12:22 PM EDT
response: Hi- the symptom was not caused by a pest or disease. It looks like a "burn" type of injury. Some possible causes:Hot water hitting foliageExcess fertilizer applied to foliage or rootsInsecticde/fungicide application (even neem oil can burn leaves)Root injuryHerbicide contamination via leaves or rootsUse of a compost or mulch that had been decomposing anaerobically If the cause was the neem oil application, the tree will recover. Jon

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 01, 2023, 1:23 PM EDT
response: Dear Jon,Thanks for your quick response. See my comments on suggested causes in red. The tree wintered over in a completely dark area where it lost all of its leaves. Early this spring while still in the completely dark space, the leaves started to develop and it was then moved to a north facing set of French doors with no direct sunlight.  When the weather warmed it was taken outside and placed under a second story deck, again with no direct sunlight.  It stayed there until I planted it in the ground last week. Is it possible the new location was too much direct sun?  If so, what can I do and do you think it will survive? Thanks,Mike From: ask=<personal data hidden> [mailto:ask=<personal data hidden>] On Behalf Of Ask ExtensionSent: Thursday, June 01, 2023 12:22 PMTo: Mike StumpSubject: Re: Fig tree problem (#0103083)

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 June 01, 2023, 1:56 PM EDT
response: Hi- yes, the direct sun exposure could have caused sunburn. Another possible contributing factor could have been insufficient food reserves in a small or compromised root system. Either way, the plant should grow out of it. Jon
Dwarf plum tree has some curling leaves and only leaves on tips of branches

Question: I sent an earlier inquiry about the bare branches. I had to write a second inquiry because I could not include enough photos. In addition to the bare branches, some of the leaves (not many) are curled, and some of the flower bud areas are brown, dried up, and look damaged. Please see photos. I saw a wasp on the tree and wondered if it was eating small pests?

responder: Julie Crick  Replied June 09, 2023, 9:44 AM EDT
response: Hello, again, My apologies for not seeing the two entries! Thank you for attaching more pictures and additional information. Please check inside the curled leaves to see if there are aphids present. If not, this could be peach leaf curl? https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/peach-leaf-curl/ A fungicide application next spring as the buds are elongating will eliminate the issue.  Please read and follow all label directions.  And do let me know if you have any questions, or if other symptoms tell you something else might be going on.  Thank you, -Julie

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 10, 2023, 12:07 PM EDT
response: We definitely saw some aphids on the little apple tree, which is right next to the plum tree. We bought some Safer brand 3-in-1 spray and some Captain Jack’s Fruit Tree Spray. We will try the Safer brand first.Should we spray all the leaves or just the curled leaves?Thanks for your help.*****Find passion, purpose, and presence every day of your life. On Jun 9, 2023, at 9:44 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Julie Crick  Replied June 12, 2023, 4:21 PM EDT
response: You can spray the aphids directly. I do think the leaves might be affected by peach leaf curl, which is a fungal infection that begins in the bud.  https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/peach-leaf-curl/ Best to pluck off curled leaves this year to avoid adding additional spores to the soil, then treat the buds as prescribed next spring before they leaf out. Once the leaf is mature, it is not susceptible to infection.  If you have any questions after reading the article, please let me know.  Thank you, -Julie
Plant ID

Question: Hi, can you tell me what this plant is? Thank you

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 June 02, 2023, 11:51 AM EDT
response: This is a type of ornamental sage (Salvia sp.). There are different species and cultivars that look very similar. This might be Salvia greggii or Salvia microphylla or even a hybrid cross between those two.  Christa

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 02, 2023, 12:15 PM EDT
response: Thank you Christa. I am striving to move towards natives. Does this create problems for native insects, butterflies etc. or is it a keeper? Thank youSent from my iPhone On Jun 2, 2023, at 11:51 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 June 02, 2023, 12:55 PM EDT
response: It is great that you are planning to incorporate more native plants into your garden. As you work toward that goal, it is fine to keep the Salvia. Although this one is not native to Maryland, there are no Salivas that are considered invasive here in our state. The flowers on these can provide a source of nectar and pollen for some wildlife that are "generalist" feeders, meaning they do not need a specific plant or pollen to raise their young. Even non-native, non-invasive flowers can provide some support for generalist bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies - especially if there are not many other floral resources around for them. As you change your garden over time and work on adding natives, you might eventually decide to replace this with something else that can support pollen specialist bees or host plants for specific butterflies -- but in the meantime, it is not necessarily "bad" to keep these among your diverse plantings.   Just as an aside, Maryland does have one native species of Salvia, lyre-leaf sage, which has a different look to it but it is very adaptable to a variety of garden conditions. I recently made a brief video about it.  Christa

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 03, 2023, 9:57 AM EDT
response: Christa, thank you very much. This is great information! DawnSent from my iPhone On Jun 2, 2023, at 12:55 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 June 05, 2023, 8:31 AM EDT
response: You're welcome.
cedar arborvitae disease issue

Question: I have noticed several of my cedar tree arborvitae are dying. The tips of the growth areas are turning brown. Several trees are already dead and need to be replaced. I have about 30 of this trees lining the property by the road.  I need for you to recommend an arborist to review the situation and recommend a course of action to save the remaining trees. See attached photos    Can you make a recommendation?

responder: Diane - MSU Advanced Extension Master Gardener Replied June 03, 2023, 3:46 PM EDT
response: Gerald - it must be so hard for you to see these trees in this state.  Great idea to have a certified arborist come out to assess the situation and recommend a course of actions.  I am including a link below where you can search for arborists in your area.  https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist click on the "Find a professional" button and then select Michigan, your city if available, your postal code and miles within your range.  Once you have the list, we recommend calling a couple to find out more about the services offered and the fees.   Hope that helps and good luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 05, 2023, 9:54 PM EDT
response: Diane! Thanks I contacted the people from Davey Tree who have a arborist on staff !Thanks Jerry ZaccardelliSent from my iPhone On Jun 3, 2023, at 3:46 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Diane - MSU Advanced Extension Master Gardener Replied June 06, 2023, 7:05 PM EDT
response: Best of luck!
Jelly like substance spreading grass

Question: What is this clear/ white substance that is spreading across our lawn? Looked ice but feels like jello. Also found on stone steps. It seems to be spreading each day. 
Should I treat to get rid of it? How?

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 June 02, 2023, 11:53 AM EDT
response: This does not appear to be residue from a pest or plant disease. They look like fully-hydrated water-retaining polymer granules, such as those included in some potting mixes ("moisture control" types), diapers (if a wild animal was rummaging through garbage somewhere nearby), and other products. They look like dry pellets or crystals when dehydrated and swell to many times their size when wet, having a gel-like consistency. When used in potting mix, the intent is for them to store water for plant roots as the soil dries out, but this has not been scientifically proven to be effective; still, their inclusion in soil blends is relatively common. In either case, you can just collect them and dispose of them so they don't pollute stormwater runoff (well...when it finally rains again) or irrigation water runoff.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 02, 2023, 12:03 PM EDT
response: Great response! Thank you!

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 02, 2023, 12:03 PM EDT
response: Great response! Thank you!On Jun 2, 2023, at 11:53 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 June 02, 2023, 12:06 PM EDT
response: You're welcome!
What is this? (Wildlife)

Question: Found this near our water stream on the rocks in the morning. There are garter snakes that live here. I understand that they give birth to live young. Nearby there was a shredded snake skin but this thing has ius guessing.

responder: Yu Man Lee  (she/her) Replied June 02, 2023, 1:52 PM EDT
response: HI, Cynthia.   I am not sure what that is either. Would it be okay if I share this photo with others at MNFI, esp. our aquatic ecologist to see if he has any ideas?  Sorry couldn't be of more help. Interesting!  Best,  Yu Man

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 02, 2023, 2:20 PM EDT
response: Yu Man, You can absolutely share the photo! I’d love to see if anyone has an idea of what it may be.  Best regards, Cynthia     Get Outlook for iOS   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Friday, June 2, 2023 1:52:38 PM To: Cindy <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: What is this? (#0103017)

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 02, 2023, 5:26 PM EDT
response: Yu Man,  A snake crawled into and got stuck in a water pipe that shoots water out from the pond into a waterfall stream. I think that when the water got turned on and was on for a couple hours it may have blown some of the snakes intestine out which would explain the water bubbles inside. Poor snake! It’s still stuck in there and smells really bad. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until it decomposes for it to loosen and get flushed out.  That thing was laying quite a ways from where the snake is stuck. That’s why I didn’t think of it before. Perhaps some animal dragged it? Don’t know. Thank you for your time. It sure was a bizarre thing to find!     Get Outlook for iOS   From: Cindy <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Friday, June 2, 2023 2:15:21 PM To: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: What is this? (#0103017)    Yu Man, You can absolutely share the photo! I’d love to see if anyone has an idea of what it may be.  Best regards, Cynthia     Get Outlook for iOS   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Friday, June 2, 2023 1:52:38 PM To: Cindy <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: What is this? (#0103017)
Help me identify this bug!

Question: Please help me identify this bug. I've found them in my bathroom, in the tub, along the edge of the toilet, along baseboards in other rooms and even once in my hair. I am panicking about a possible bed bug infestation now.  Worth noting that they appeared at the same time as a swarm of ants in the bathroom and the kitchen, though I haven't seen the bug in question in the kitchen.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 31, 2023, 9:25 PM EDT
response: Additional images for identification purposes

responder: Talon Becker Replied June 01, 2023, 8:30 AM EDT
response: Hello Sarah,  Rest assured, these photos do not appear to be bed bugs.  Bed bugs do not have wings, and and their abdomen is generally wider than it's head and thorax.  It appears from your photos that you are dealing with a type of beetle.  I can't be 100% from the photos what species it is, but I am confident that those photos are not of bed bugs.  Furthermore, bed bugs tend to stay in the bed.  If you have an infestation, you would likely see them on the underside of your mattress and would likely have several bug bites.  I hope this helps.
Beet plant issue

Question: Hi, can you identify the issue I’m having with my beets? I have new raised bed gardens and i bought some high grade soil so this concerns me some. I’ve never had beets do this before and I like beet greens as much as the root.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 01, 2023, 12:58 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your question, Stan.  Your beets are infested with one of several varieties leaf miner, which form tunnels in the leaves as they eat.  Here is an article about what they are, as well as the (few) control mechanisms:  https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/VEGES/PESTS/vegleafminers.html I hope this helps.  Good luck!

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 01, 2023, 1:10 PM EDT
response: Yes this is helpful, thanks but I wish there were a natural spray like pepper spray or something that would work.Stan Sent from my iPhone On Jun 1, 2023, at 9:58 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 01, 2023, 1:14 PM EDT
response: Sorry.  I can only provide recommendations based upon scientific research.  A protective cloth to keep them out seems pretty easy!

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 08, 2023, 7:50 PM EDT
response: Hi can you identify the issue with this rose?Thanks, stan Sent from my iPhone On Jun 1, 2023, at 10:14 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 08, 2023, 9:11 PM EDT
response: https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/rose-rosa-spp-hybrids-black-spot are the black spots. The irregular yellowing spots are a virus that hat cannot be resolved by pesticides:  https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/rose-rosa-spp-hybrids-rose-mosaic

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 14, 2023, 10:55 PM EDT
response: Hey guys, I just notice this today with my calla Lilly. What the heck? Sent from my iPhone On Jun 8, 2023, at 4:45 PM, Stan Heister <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿Hi can you identify the issue with this rose?Thanks, stan <image0.jpeg><image1.jpeg><image2.jpeg>Sent from my iPhoneOn Jun 1, 2023, at 10:14 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 14, 2023, 11:03 PM EDT
response: Your plant may have the white spots genetically, called maculation.  But the leaf yellowing is probably a lack of nitrogen.  Are you providing fertilizer?  Does the container it is in drain well?