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Southwest Yard & Garden By Marisa Thompson   Several Afghan pine trees are stunted and have thinner canopies than others. More photos below. All photo credits Michelle J.   Question: I have 120 healthy Afghan pine trees, but about 10 may need fertilizer because they're not as full as the others. When and how much fertilizer should I apply around the drip line of a 25-ft tall tree? - Michelle J., Dona Ana County   Answer: Great question! Thank you for seeking local recommendations before taking action. Here’s my preliminary response, followed by further discussion: Tree decline can be a real mystery, and your question raised more questions for me than answers. My response questions mostly revolve around how you care for your trees. ·          What are your irrigation practices? Details here can be helpful. o    What’s the primary method you use? o    Do you flood the area with a garden ho...
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Red-shouldered bug

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Southwest Yard & Garden By Bethany Abrahamson    Every year I see these little characters under my golden rain tree in Albuquerque. Photo credit: Bethany Abrahamson.  QUESTION: How do you feel about those bugs that hang around golden rain trees?   --Sandoval County, NM     ANSWER: I don’t mind them! Red-shouldered or golden rain tree bugs ( Jadera haematoloma ) are some of the earliest bugs I see in my garden, and they remind me that spring is here, even while I’m still bundled up.    Here's a size comparison of some Jadera nymphs, by Marisa Thompson.    In fact, I started this article thinking they were boxelder bugs, but the two are in different genera. Boxelder bugs and red-shouldered bugs have pretty similar life habits and effects on the landscape. So that you can tell them apart: Both boxelder bugs and red-shouldered bugs are red and black with red eyes, but boxelder bugs are found on boxelder ( Acer negundo ), maple and ash...
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