Tree & Shrub Diagnostics
Tree and Shrub Diagnostic Form 
Contact:
Landscape & Nursery Insects:
Bob Childs, (413) 545-1053, rchilds@psis.umass.edu
Landscape & Nursery Diseases:
Dan Gillman, (413) 545-3208, dgillman@umext.umass.edu
Landscape & Nursery Weeds:
Randy Prostak, (413) 577-1738, rprostak@umext.umass.edu
Guidelines for Sending Tree & Shrub Specimens:
Please submit samples based on the following guidelines for tree and shrub
diseases, tree and shrub insect identification, and landscape weed identification.
For proper diagnosis, specimens must be received in good condition. It
may be helpful to call the UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic
Lab first at (413) 545-3208 to see if sending a sample is
necessary. Hand-deliver samples if possible, or send them by the fastest
means available. Include accompanying information (such as photos, etc.)
regarding the symptoms that are of particular concern to you.
1. Ship samples so that they will be delivered in 48
hours or less. Federal Express, UPS, and Two-day Priority Mail through
the U.S. Postal Service deliver directly to the building. Be sure to pack
the specimen in a sturdy envelope or box.
2. Fill out the Tree
and Shrub Diagnostic Form as
completely as possible. This form must accompany each specimen sent
to the lab. The information supplied will allow a more thorough and
accurate diagnosis. Include your phone number, e-mail, and a fax number,
if available, so we may contact you for further information or inform
you of the diagnosis.
3. Disease Samples: Send several plants/leaves/branches
etc. showing a range of symptoms that are representative of the problem.
Select samples from the area at the margin between the diseased portion
of the plant and the healthy tissue. Dead plant material usually is of
little value because it often contains secondary organisms that may make
detection of the primary pathogen difficult.
- Place leaves, branches, and other plant parts in a plastic bag
and seal it. Do not add moist towels or moisten the sample before
sealing it.
- When sending entire plants, dig, rather than pull, roots from
the soil. Wrap roots and attached soil in a plastic bag and secure
to the trunk with a twist tie. Place a second bag over the foliage
and punch a few holes through this bag for ventilation. Do not
add additional water or moist towels.
- Vascular wilt specimens: Plants or plant parts that suddenly
wilt may be infected with a vascular disease. Branch or stem sections
1/4" to 1" in diameter and 4" to 6" long should
be taken from the wilting plant or recently wilted plant part.
Avoid sending plant material that has been dead for any length
of time.
4. Insect Samples: Immature and soft-bodied insects should
be placed in 70% ethyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol is not ideal, but may work).
Other insects must be carefully packaged. Do not place loose insects into
envelopes for mailing, as the automatic process for handling mail will
most likely destroy the specimens.
5. Weed Samples: Collect whole plant,
including the roots, if possible. Wrap roots in a wet paper towel. Place
plant in a zip-lock or freezer bag and seal with some air in the bag in
order to prevent crushing. Place bag in a sturdy box or envelope for mailing.
Tree and Shrub Diagnostic Form
Diagnostic Fees (payment payable to University of
Massachusetts):
- Tree or shrub disease analysis - $50
- Tree or shrub insect ID - $25
- Landscape weed ID - $25
Address packages to:
UMass Extension Plant Diagnostic Lab
Holdsworth Natural Resources Center, 160 Holdsworth Way
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003-9285
(413) 545-3208 - fax (413) 545-4385
Use exact address to ensure delivery.
For further information, visit:
The UMass
Extension Landscape, Nursery, and Urban Forestry Team
Return to the main diagnostics overview page
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