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Burn baby burn #930067

Asked April 29, 2026, 3:57 PM EDT

I Have 2 burning bush plants that are 2 years old. Neither of them grew much last year and now appear dead.

Dakota County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thank you for writing.
Please send me a picture of a whole bush and a picture of a close up of a stem about a foot from its tip.
I am looking for scale  https://homertree.com/blog/disease-spotlight-euonymus-scale-and-burning-bush-scale/

If that is not present, then cut and photograph the cross section of a stem.
Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear.  This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service.  https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied April 29, 2026, 4:21 PM EDT

Sent 2 photos to 0199982

Charlie

On Apr 29, 2026, at 3:21 PM, Ask Extension wrote:


The Question Asker Replied April 29, 2026, 4:40 PM EDT
I cannot find them.
Send them to me <personal data hidden>
Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear.  This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service.  https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied April 29, 2026, 6:17 PM EDT
Thank you.  What is under the stones?
Garden cloth?, Dirt?
Also, I need a close up of this stem to see these white dots. 
image
This may take a couple more rounds of questions.


Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear.  This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service.  https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied April 29, 2026, 7:44 PM EDT
f cloth. 



Charlie

On Apr 29, 2026, at 6:44 PM, Ask Extension wrote:


The Question Asker Replied April 30, 2026, 3:40 PM EDT
Sorry so long to reply. I had to go to work. 
Under rocks is landscape fabric. 

image0.jpegimage1.jpeg
On Apr 30, 2026, at 2:30 PM, Charlie Leach wrote:

f cloth. 



Charlie

On Apr 29, 2026, at 6:44 PM, Ask Extension wrote:


The Question Asker Replied April 30, 2026, 3:40 PM EDT
Cloth is terrible for plants.
It changes the soil chemistry and bacteria. It makes the soil hotter and drier. Over time, it decreases the amount of organic material around the roots.
It is enough to get your plants as stressed as they appear.
I am still concerned about scale, send me a closeup of lumps on stems. Of course, a weakened plant will be more susceptible to scale or scale can kill a burning bush all by itself.
https://gardenprofessors.com/landscape-fabric-a-cautionary-tale/
Steve Miles, Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I am a human being, not a bot nor AI). I am an avid gardener but am not a degreed or certified horticulturist or arborist. I am happy to receive follow-up questions if my responses are incomplete or unclear.  This is the University of MN' garden soil testing service.  https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden This is guidance on how to find a tree expert.  https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/how-hire-tree-care-professional The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is a wonderful place to see and learn about plants that grow in Minnesota. https://mngardens.horticulture.umn.edu/minnesota-landscape-arboretum Replied April 30, 2026, 4:28 PM EDT

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