Tree & Shrub Pests & Diseases

Central New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania are home to a wide variety of harmful insects and other pests that damage and kill trees and shrubs. Learn how to identify the signs and symptoms that indicate the presence of specific pests, and how to control them to minimize damage to your property. We focus on organic treatments and integrated pest management (IPM) to ensure the health of your plants, as well as our environment.

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Lace Bugs: Identification, Damage & Treatment

Heavy infestations of lace bug weaken plant health and vigor, leaving them vulnerable to other insect damage, disease and environmental stress.

pinecones and pine needles on the ground in fall

My Evergreen Is Losing Its Needles! Is That Normal?

This fall, have you noticed evergreen needles (from trees like pine, spruce, fir, yew or arborvitae) turning yellow and/or falling to the ground? What does it mean? Why is it happening? Should you be concerned? Find the answers in this Q&A.

Organic Control of Japanese Beetles & White Grubs in Your NJ Landscape

Do the leaves on your shrubs and trees look like lace? If so, they’ve probably been attacked by Japanese beetles. Are brown patches appearing in your lawn? It could be grubs - the immature form of Japanese beetles. Learn how to control both to minimize the damage safely, effectively and organically.

bark stripped off of a tree in the Central New Jersey area

What is Stripping the Bark Off My Trees in Winter?

We share details on the rodents and other critters that eat or tear bark off trees in winter (some also eat tree roots), which trees they prefer, and how to prevent winter tree damage from these pesky varmints.

Why Are Woodpeckers Making Holes in My Trees?

If woodpeckers are drilling holes in your trees it's likely to indicate a much bigger problem, such as an insect infestation or dying tree. For example, it's often the first visible sign of EAB infestation in ash trees. Find out why and how woodpeckers peck trees and what you can do about it.

Why Use Green Prism Traps to Monitor Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)?

Collecting EAB population data using prism traps plays a critical role in improving EAB treatment outcomes and minimizing your management costs. In this article, we describe how prism traps work, where they're placed, and exactly how they help save your ash trees from the destructive emerald ash borer.