Diagnosing infestations of emerald ash borer
Does my neighborhood have an emerald ash borer infestation? On many ash trees (including mine) the top branches are dead or dying, but the lower part has new sprouts coming right out of the trunk. I don’t see any insects. How can we know for sure? Does the state control or remove these pests or trees?
The emerald ash borer is active in Maryland, and ash trees have no resistance. A dying upper canopy and new growth at the bottom (a last-ditch attempt by the tree to survive) are classic symptoms of an infestation. Also look for “D”-shaped holes and woodpecker activity. Search “emerald ash borer” on the Home and Garden Center website list below. Dead ash trees quickly become brittle. Tree service companies cannot climb them after just a few months because of the danger, so a decision on whether to treat or remove must be made promptly. The state does not do this. To confirm the presence of emerald ash borers, use a certified arborist. (Many work for tree service companies, and there is typically no charge to diagnose.) Follow the prompts on the International Society of Arboriculture website, treesaregood.org, to find an arborist near you. Be sure to use a properly insured tree service company. However, if your tree is exhibiting the symptoms above, it will not recover, regardless of diagnosis. The cucumbers I started in peat pots have not grown well. The new leaves folded in on themselves, the bigger leaves curved up their edges, and the old leaves whitened on the edge. I think that was caused by cold weather, but they still are not doing great. Any advice?
Peat pots do not disintegrate as fast as expected and can impede root growth. Another problem is when the rim of the pot protrudes from the soil. It wicks water away from plant roots and evaporates. In hot weather, this can reduce water available to the plant’s roots. In the future, you may want to remove the peat pot before planting. Cucumbers like it hot and sunny. If you do not see improvement soon, plant cucumber seeds in the soil. They will quickly surpass struggling transplants.
University of Maryland Extension’s Home and Garden Information Center offers free gardening and pest information at extension.umd.edu/hgic. Click “Ask Maryland’s Gardening Experts” to send questions and photos.