Han: What is killing my vegetation and timber?

Han: What is killing my vegetation and timber?

Published 10:00 pm Saturday, March 14, 2026

A big tree and a wonderful rose have been gone in my panorama through the years. The tree was an October Glory Maple (Acer Rubrum). The rose bush was the Knockout Rose (Rosa Cultivar). 

Let me first describe for you the signs of the maple tree that I by no means observed. In the early summer time, the Maple tree’s leaves turned pink from the highest of the tree down. I believed it was a present, as I had simply moved from Abilene to East Texas and was not conversant in Maple timber. It was thrilling to see the pink maple leaves throughout the summer time. I assumed it was regular. Several months handed, and the leaves turned black across the edges. The black leaves fell within the wind like a blizzard. The fallen leaves lined my inexperienced grass yard. I rushed to a neighborhood backyard retailer. One of the staff beneficial I spray a fungus killer. I did it. It regarded as if it labored. New leaves got here out. But it didn’t final lengthy. The new leaves turned brown and ultimately fell. I purchased a extra substantial and sophisticated fungus-killer spray. I sprayed it everywhere in the tree. Sadly, it didn’t work both.

I inspected and pulled off broken bark. I discovered plenty of larvae on the tree. There have been no windbreakers in my subdivision, which was developed on a ranch. Strong winds hit the skinny maple timber, inflicting them to bend considerably. Winter chill attacked the weakened timber’ bark. Maple sap, popping out of the cut up bark throughout the spring, attracted bugs. Insects laid eggs underneath the bark and made an insect household’s dwelling. I didn’t discover it till the tree was virtually lifeless. Several maple timber planted in my dwelling subdivision have undergone the identical destiny. Eventually, I used to be pressured to chop down the 20-foot-high maple tree within the late spring. The maple tree wanted an insecticide spray and agency help towards the wind. I needed to lower it down earlier than it died. I’d nonetheless get fortunate and discover a new sprout from the roots subsequent 12 months. My mistake was I didn’t discover the broken bark, which made it prone to bugs.

The second plant I misplaced was a Knockout Rose bush. I heard the rose was a low-maintenance shrub. The rose blooms have been small after being planted for 2 years. The coloration turned darkish. Rose buds dangled loads on one stem. I believed it was due to Abilene’s scorching and dry climate. I sprayed plenty of water on the flower. More buds got here out on one stem. I lower out among the buds and soiled flowers. It regarded higher, nevertheless it was nonetheless unusual. I took one of many buds and flowers to a botanist. He stated it was contaminated with rose rosette illness. I had by no means heard of this illness. (I’m a retired newspaper journalist). He suggested me to dig up the plant, together with all of the rose roots. I noticed I might have unfold this rose illness not solely in my backyard, however to the neighborhood roses. Dr. Greg Grant, the Smith County Agrilife Horticulturist, stated there was no treatment for rose rosette. 

Two panorama options died due to a house owner’s lack of understanding and correct analysis. 

— Smith County Master Gardeners are volunteer educators licensed and coordinated by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.