MIRAGE-Benchmark/MIRAGE huggingface dataset:
Southern Red Oak disease

Question: Last week I noticed about 6 - 7 small tips of branches from the Southern Red Oak in my yard had dropped to the ground. They each appeared to have mostly healthy leaves, but some with brown leaf spots. My research suggests possibly bacterial leaf scorch. Can you confirm? 

I have been watering in the recent extreme heat, but do you have any other recommendations for reducing the stress and wilting this tree is showing?

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 28, 2024, 4:53 PM EDT
response: Unfortunately the photo file size is too small for us to enlarge to see enough detail, but it doesn't appear to be Bacterial Leaf Scorch, which is usually much more extensive along the leaf margins. A different kind of leaf spot or anthracnose is more likely, and probably not a serious threat to long-term tree health. Fungicide use is not recommended for this situation, nor would it be able to cure existing symptoms. The branch tip dropping itself might be due to squirrel gnawing or the work of Twig Girdler or Twig Pruner beetles, though it might be a little early to see damage from their chewing. Both are fairly inconsequential, especially on a tree that is not very young (and neither would not likely bother a tree that small).  Other than the monitoring for watering needs that you have been doing, no other action is needed at this time. If symptoms worsen or change, though, feel free to send us additional photos.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 03, 2024, 10:39 AM EDT
response: Miri,   Thank you so much for your reply.  I just found it in my junk mail folder, so I am just now responding.     I am happy to hear that it does not appear to be serious.  We are continuing to water at least weekly during these hot, dry summer days.   Enjoy your 4th of July!   Karen       From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Friday, June 28, 2024 4:53 PM To: Karen Edgecombe <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Southern Red Oak disease (#0144975)

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 July 03, 2024, 1:37 PM EDT
response: you too!
Flying insect ID

Question: Can you help me identify this insect? There are many of them hovering over my brick walkway, buzzing. This is a zoomed in image.

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 28, 2024, 3:08 PM EDT
response: This is a type of solitary wasp, named not because they always appear solo, but because each female nests alone and wasp adults do not share a communal nest like yellowjackets, paper wasps, and hornets do. Solitary wasps outnumber those social wasps in species diversity in our region, and while they might aggregate into a community of multiple males and females being active in the same general area, each female prepares and provisions her own nest by herself. The males tend to perch and patrol areas of territory, looking for mates and rival males to chase off or tackle midair. This can be the reason why groups of solitary wasps are seen together in one yard or area. They will not bother people unless directly grabbed, swatted, or accidentally stepped-on, so you don't need to try to remove or discourage them. They are also great to have in the home garden because they prey on other insects or spiders, often those we consider nuisance pests like grasshoppers, katydids, caterpillars, flies, and stink bugs.  The wasp pictured resembles the Four-banded Sand Wasp (also called the Four-banded Stink Bug Wasp), though a few related species look similar. As the name implies, it hunts stink bugs, leaf-footed bugs, and their relatives. Females dig their nest in soil (sandy-textured is preferred), and late July is when adult activity tends to peak in Maryland (on average, state-wide).  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 28, 2024, 7:50 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much for your prompt and comprehensive response. Much appreciated! Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS  On Friday, June 28, 2024, 3:08 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

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 July 01, 2024, 12:01 PM EDT
response: You're welcome
Would like plant identification

Question: I live on 3 acres of Ponderosa pine forest.  Recently (June 2024) found a plant I've never seen before in the 35 years I have lived here (photo attached).  I tried a plant ID app., but all it came up with was pine drops.  I've often seen pinedrops, and this plant doesn't look like pinedrops.  Can you tell me what it is? Thank you.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 27, 2024, 5:54 PM EDT
response: Regarding question #0144939: Please disregard.  I have found some more information, and it appears that this is, indeed, pinedrops.  Just a different growth stage than what I've seen before.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 01, 2024, 3:26 PM EDT
response: Hello Charles, Thank you for contacting El Paso County Extension.  I see that you have already identified this plant as Pinedrops.  I totally agree with you.  This plant has some distinct different growth stages.  I am sending some additional information which may be helpful to you.  Pinedrops are native to Colorado. https://coloradoplants.jeffco.us/plant/details/812 https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/beauty/mycotrophic/pterospora_andromedea.shtml Barb S. CSU El Paso County Colorado Master Gardener

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 01, 2024, 4:29 PM EDT
response: Thank you!     From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Monday, July 1, 2024 1:26 PM To: Charles W Loeffler <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Would like plant identification (#0144939)    Dear Charles, here's the response to your question: Hello Charles, Thank you for contacting El Paso County Extension.  I see that you have already identified this plant as Pinedrops.  I totally agree with you.  This plant has some distinct different growth stages.  I am sending some additional information which may be helpful to you.  Pinedrops are native to Colorado. https://coloradoplants.jeffco.us/plant/details/812 https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/beauty/mycotrophic/pterospora_andromedea.shtml  Barb S. CSU El Paso County Colorado Master Gardener    Need to reply to the expert? Click the link below, or simply reply to this email. Click here to view #0144939  We hope this response has sufficiently answered your questions. If not, please do not send another email. Instead, reply to this email or login to your account for a complete archive of all your support requests and responses.
Backyard Shade Tree Needed!

Question: Hello, 

I am trying to submit a yard/garden question to a master gardener.  However, that particular section of your website does not seem to let me actually submit a question.

So, here I am trying to ask a yard/garden question.

Question: Our backyard is in need of a shady, fast growing tree. It is a pretty small backyard, with lots of sun throughout the day. The lot itself is very small too, so we were hoping to try to find a tree that was not invasive or huge. Our neighbors’ yards are pretty close to ours. Do you have any recommendations on fast-growing, shady trees for small lots? I’ve included a picture of what our backyard looks like.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 27, 2024, 7:39 PM EDT
response: Tough question. Most fast growing trees are like Silver maples. Have invasive roots, tend to break down in storms as they mature. I would recommend you look at a Japanese lilac. Nice flowers. birds tend to love it. Not a large tree but one to look at. Also check crab apple trees like Adams crab. Crabs can develop diseases on the leaves so if you like them try to find one resistant to disease. Another nice tree is the Kousa Dogwood. Great flowers that bloom in may. Not invasive but not a fast grower but would nice in your yard. River Birch is a nice tree but grows tall and the roots can be invasive. Judging from your picture i would stay away from trees that have invasive roots. Do you have a nursery nearby? If so, you can get an idea of what trees look like when young.  I looked again at your picture. I think the Lilac, Dogwood or crabs would fit well. If you go a nursery ask them for their ideas. Stay away from Bradford pears. Many states are not allowed to sell them. Feel free to contact me when you have your choices narrowed down. Luck

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 28, 2024, 9:03 PM EDT
response: Thank you so much for the response. I feel like I have a starting point now, and we have nurseries in the area, so I will check them out. You were very thoughtful and thorough, thank you.   On Thu, Jun 27, 2024, 7:39 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Blue mist spirea

Question: What is going on with this spirea?  Planted two this spring and they both look like this. Yellowing leaves and wilty looking.  Too much water or not enough?  Or a nutrient problem? Help?

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied June 27, 2024, 5:52 PM EDT
response: Hi Ann,  This looks like a normal reaction to planting and establishment. Depending on when they were planted, it takes a lot for a plant to adjust to outdoor growing conditions (and the heat and sun). Leaf drop and yellowing leaves almost always happens.  Just continue with your regular cultural practices and continue watering through the end of the season.   Blue-mist spirea is such a great shrub! One of the very best for pollinators.

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 27, 2024, 7:48 PM EDT
response: Thank you Alison!
What is this on my Cottonwood Tree?

Question: This cottonwood tree sits right outside a big picture window that we look out every day. It just seemed to appear on the trunk out of thin air today. What is it? Do I need to do anything about it? There appears to be something lumpish in a membrane sack (or several membrane sacks?), with what appears to be thick drops of ooze on the bottom.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 08, 2024, 4:12 PM EDT
response: This "thing" continues to hang on the trunk of my Cottonwood tree -- though it appears to be drying out and turning grayish. I would really love to know what it is and I'm hoping the experts at the Extension can help me! Thanks.

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 12, 2024, 2:49 PM EDT
response: Hi Nicole, Sorry for the delay in response. From what I can see in the photo, you have a fungal fruiting body growing out of the tree trunk.  Based on the leaves, this is a willow tree rather than a cottonwood.  Many hardwood trees, including both cottonwoods and willows, are susceptible to decay fungi in dead wood.  Likely a wind-blown spore established in the wound on the tree; under the right weather conditions a fruiting body like this will be produced. Trees weakened by decay fungi are prone to windthrow or breakage.  If the tree could cause personal injury or property damage were it to fail, you may wish to consult an arborist to determine the extent of the damage and if the tree should be removed.  In the majority of decay-fungi infections, the disease is not treatable.  Promoting tree health and avoiding tree-wounding are the best practices for preventing infections. I hope this is helpful! Cordially, John
Weeping Willow dying

Question: Hello: I live in Cary, NC and I have had this Weeping Willow for almost 10 years. For the last 2-3 years, it has been suffering from something that's causing the leaves to turn Brown and the branches to die. It starts out okay in the spring sprouting new branches and leaves and looks healthy. But around this time of the year it looks like it's dying. Could you please give me any suggestions as to what could be causing this? Thank you.

responder: Louise RomanowEntomologistMaster Gardener VolunteerExtension MG Program, Wake County Replied June 29, 2024, 12:43 PM EDT
response: My first question: Do you use a weed killer on your lawn?  Herbicides that are aimed at broadleaf weeds harm any broadleaf (including trees) that take up the herbicide.  Remember that tree roots go out 50% beyond the canopy of the tree, so there are willow roots under the lawn near the base of the tree. If you are not using a broadleaf herbicide, then I suspect that the issue is lack of water.  There were some dry spells last summer, and we are certainly in a very hot dry spell currently.  Even with sufficient water, some plants are showing stress because they cannot get water up to the leaves fast enough for the leaves to transpire.   This is a difficult problem right now, because you really should be watering about 1" each time with a sprinkler that will cover the entire root system.  In this kind of drought, this deep watering should be done once a week.  See https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/watering-established-trees-and-shrubs#when-to-water-trees-and-shrubs-1261760 for more info on watering.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 03, 2024, 11:23 AM EDT
response: Hello Louise:  Thank you for responding.  I really appreciate it!  I do have a weed control service that sprays broadleaf herbicide in the yard.  I am seeing the same symptoms with the crape myrtles and tomato plants, so that explains the reason why they seem like they are dying.  I have paused the service to see if they revive.  Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help them recover.  I have a sprinkler system with a head that rotates 360 degrees and waters the Willow for 15 min every other day.  Thanks again for helping me with my willow!  Sajjad.   On Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 12:43:58 PM EDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Louise RomanowEntomologistMaster Gardener VolunteerExtension MG Program, Wake County Replied July 03, 2024, 6:00 PM EDT
response: Use a can or other means of seeing how much water your sprinkler puts out.  15 min may be only soaking the top couple of inches, encouraging shallow roots.  1” min. at each watering.  Normally 1x/week is sufficient, but this heat may require more frequent watering.
Lilacs (Miss Kim) sick

Question: Hello! My 'Miss Kim" lilacs are not well. They were robust for 15 years but not this year.  Most of the limbs look dead but when examined I see they have green, flexible centers.  Last year I watered them more than usual because of the drought. I know they've been stressed because of 3 dry years but could this be from over watering?  More concerning...does this look like 'Witches Broom' disease?  Mites?  Please advise.

responder: Deb Reierson  Replied June 27, 2024, 10:26 PM EDT
response: I agree that your lilacs do  not look good. I can’t diagnose this for certain but from your photos it does look like witches broom.  If that is the case, you can prune out the affected branches but these look pretty far gone. You may want to prune them to the ground and see how they come back next year. If this continues, you will want to dig and remove all of them. If it is witches broom they will weaken and eventually die.  Lilacs are an alternate host for Ash yellows. if you have ash trees around this could be a possibility.  Sorry for the bad news. https://extension.psu.edu/lilac-diseases https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/ash-yellows https://pddc.wisc.edu/2020/08/10/august-2020-green-grow-the-lilacs-not/

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 28, 2024, 5:51 PM EDT
response: Hello and thank you for the information, I will prune the lilacs back and see how it goes.  Should I do the pruning now or wait until fall when things become dormant? Thank you, Joan   From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2024 9:26 PM To: Joan Gonzalez <<personal data hidden>> Subject: Re: Lilacs (Miss Kim) sick (#0144848)

responder: Deb Reierson  Replied June 29, 2024, 8:27 AM EDT
response: Pruning them now is fine. Usually you would prune lilacs right after bloom. Even if they come back looking healthy you may not get blooms next year.
Tiny bugs in a tent on a weeping cherry

Question: Port Republic MD

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 27, 2024, 4:41 PM EDT
response: Hello and thank you for your question. The webbing in your images is most likely from a caterpillar known as the fall webworm. These are a common caterpillar in our area with two generations a year. The first in May is usually small and goes easily unnoticed. The second is in August-October and larger, garnering more attention, hence the name "fall" webworm.   It is difficult to see in your images if any caterpillars are actually in the webbing. They may have already left the webbing, in which case this was left over from the first generation and the small black dots you are seeing are actually just frass (bug poop). If you do happen to see caterpillars inside the webbing, this batch is just a little off their natural calendar. You can use a stick or pair of loppers to cut open the webbing and allow predators to get in and eat them, or cut off that section of the branch entirely and dispose of it.  If you have any additional questions please feel free to send them our way!

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 27, 2024, 5:48 PM EDT
response: Thank you!  I’m on it…great intel!!        On Jun 27, 2024, at 4:41 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 27, 2024, 9:28 PM EDT
response: You’re welcome!
Unknown Bug

Question: Hi, any idea the type of bug in the photo?

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 27, 2024, 10:54 AM EDT
response: This looks like a female Eastern Dobsonfly, a common but infrequently-seen native insect. Like other night-flying insects, the adults can be distracted by and drawn to night lighting, so might turn-up near porch lights and other lit areas. Their larvae prey on other insects and live in fast-flowing streams.  Miri

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 27, 2024, 1:36 PM EDT
response: Yes!  That's it!  It had gotten into my covered patio and seemed lethargic like it was sick or dying. I swept it up and put it outside in my grass.    On Thu, Jun 27, 2024, 10:54 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 27, 2024, 2:58 PM EDT
response: You're welcome.
Red Currant with Aphids ?

Question: Hi,

My red currants have some lacy white bugs distorting its leaves.  Any advice ?  Should I use the same home made spray I used to get rid of the aphids on my plum tree ?     (10 drops of Mint oil and a teaspoon of Dawn in a quart of water sprayed on dry leaves)

I sure appreciate you !

Darin Henry

responder: Erica Chernoh Assistant Professor of Practice Community and Commercial Horticulture OSU Extension Lane County Replied June 27, 2024, 4:58 PM EDT
response: That is the currant aphid (Cryptomyzus ribis). The aphids feed on the leaves causes the puckering and distortion you see. You can try washing the aphids from the plant with a strong stream of water from a garden hose. There are a number of natural enemies that feed on the aphids, such as ladybugs, hover fly, lacewings and parasitic wasps. If you use a pesticide, avoid using a broad-spectrum pesticide that will also kill the natural enemies. The mint oil-soap spray you used on the plum aphids should also work here. It looks like a large outbreak, so it may require several sprays. Other options include azadirachtin, which is a narrow range pesticide that will target aphids, and only affects a few natural enemies. During the dormant season you can use a dormant oil spray. For more on this pest, including lifecycle and management options, refer to https://pnwhandbooks.org/insect/small-fruit/currant-gooseberry/currant-gooseberry-currant-aphid

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 27, 2024, 6:06 PM EDT
response: THANK YOU !    On Thu, Jun 27, 2024 at 1:58 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: