Agriculture & Landscape Program
Plant Problem Diagnostics

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