Biotic or Abiotic?
All the leaves on a row of shrubs are turning brown at the same time after a late spring frost.
What is abiotic?
You notice a few aphids on a plant, but no visible damage yet.
What is monitor and take no immediate action?
A plant is wilting in the afternoon but looks fine again in the evening.
What is temporary heat/water stress?
A plant begins wilting during a week of 95°F+ temperatures, despite being watered regularly.
What is heat stress / high evapotranspiration?
A few aphids are present on a healthy-looking plant, but beneficial insects are also active.
What is don’t treat / monitor the population?
You see irregular holes in leaves and find small green insects feeding on the plant.
What is biotic?
A client wants to spray for pests but you also see lady beetles actively feeding on aphids and active bees.
What is avoid spraying and conserve beneficial insects?
A plant suddenly wilts even though the soil is very wet.
What is overwatering or root rot?
Leaf spots appear after several days of rain and overhead irrigation.
What are conditions favorable for fungal disease development?
A plant has minor leaf damage from chewing insects, but overall growth is unaffected.
What is don’t treat / monitor the population?
Yellowing is occurring on leaves with dark green veining.
What is abiotic?
Powdery mildew appears on crowded plants with poor airflow.
What is improve spacing or prune to increase airflow?
Sticky residue is found on leaves and surfaces below the plant, but no disease symptoms are visible.
What is honeydew from sap-feeding insects?
A tree planted in heavy clay soil shows poor growth and yellowing leaves.
What is poor drainage / soil compaction?
A lawn has a confirmed grub infestation, and turf pulls up easily like carpet in multiple areas.
What is treat
One branch of a tree is wilting and dying back. You notice a sunken, cracked area on the branch with discolored tissue under the bark.
What is biotic?
You identify chewing damage on leaves, but only a small number of insects are present and damage is minimal.
What is hand removal or continued monitoring?
A client contacts you with a picture of yellowing grass that's in a straight strip. They tell you they recently had someone fertilize the grass last week because they were having their grandkids over for a pool party.
What is a slip and slide?
Only plants located near a roadway show leaf burn and decline after winter.
What is road salt exposure?
A mature tree is showing progressive canopy dieback year after year. Multiple branches are dead, and new growth is sparse even after improving watering and soil conditions.
What is don't treat, remove or replace the tree
Several plants in a landscape bed show similar leaf scorch on the side facing the street after a very hot, windy week.
What is abiotic?
A tree has recurring insect issues every year. The environment hasn’t been addressed, and treatments only provide short-term relief.
What is identify and address underlying stress factors?
Leaves have perfectly round holes that look very clean and precise.
What is leafcutter bee activity?
A fruit tree blooms very late, produces few blossoms, and has poor or uneven fruit set year after year despite good care and no visible pests or disease.
What is insufficient chill hours
A plant is confirmed to have a systemic vascular disease, symptoms are rapidly worsening, and there is no known effective curative treatment. Nearby plants are at risk of infection.
What is don't treat, remove and destroy the infected plant