Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteers (MGEVs) assist the UGA Cooperative Extension in providing horticultural information using research and the resources of the University of Georgia. Here are a several recent questions that came to the help desk at the Fulton County Extension office.
Question: My Bartlett pear bloomed beautifully in early spring, but then the stems started turning brown and died. I’ve learned it may be due to fire blight so I cut off as much as I could and sterilized the pruners. It still looks like the tree will die. Is there any remedy for this disease?
Answer from MGEV Dana Hallberg: I’m sorry for the loss of your pear tree due to fire blight. As you have already done, prune any affected plant parts, making sure to clean pruners with isopropyl alcohol or disinfectant wipes between cuts. This will help prevent spreading the disease. Dispose of pruned limbs in the garbage or burn them. Next year, apply fungicides/bactericides preventively. Most fungicides will not make a difference on plants that are already showing symptoms. The publications above have suggestions about pruning symptomatic branches, along with information on what products to apply and when.
Question: I’ve noticed large mounds in a mulched area in the alley behind my house and huge hornets flying around the mounds. There are also some dead cicadas on the ground nearby. I managed to get a few photos of the hornets. What are they and do I need to be worried?
Answer from Extension Agent Gabrielle LaTora: Your photos confirm that these are not actually hornets, but Eastern cicada killer wasps! Cicada killers, even though they’re huge, are not aggressive and are only interested in hunting cicadas. The male wasps like to “patrol” and might be more interested in people than the female wasps, but they can’t sting. Females are very…
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