OUR SERVICES
Tree Treatments
At Green Goddess, our ISA-certified arborists diagnose and treat a wide range of tree, shrub, and plant health issues using professional, science-backed treatments. From disease and pest management to growth regulation and soil health, our targeted services help strengthen plants, prevent costly removals, and support long-term landscape vitality.
Japanese Beetle
Management
The Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, is an extensive and
harmful insect affecting lawns, gardens, and decorative plants across
a large portion of the United States. The adult Japanese beetle measures 15.
mm (0.6 in) long and 10 mm (0.4 in) wide, displays an iridescent copper-
colored wings and a green thorax and head. Mature Japanese beetles
consume the foliage, blossoms, and fruit of numerous various plants, as well as
the larval white grub stage mainly consumes the roots of grasses frequently
damaging grass in gardens, recreational areas, and golf fields.
Where is the Danger
The Japanese beetle is an invasive scarab species that was brought to New
Jersey circa 1912. It is now widely recognized in the majority of states located east of the
Mississippi River (excluding Florida), along with sections of nearly all other states
westward to Colorado. Over 300 plant species are recognized as hosts.
Japanese beetle. Main
hosts consist of maples, decorative apple varieties, and stone fruits (including
plums and peaches), linden/basswood, elms, and vines. Auxiliary
hosts consist of buckeyes, birches, walnuts, poplars,
willow, rowan, and lawn grasses.
SYMPTOMS:
Adults and larvae both result in harm to plants, yet the host and the characteristics
The types of damage are generally varied. Grown-ups harm the leaves,
blooms and produce from a diverse array of hosts and are most lively in warm
bright days. Feeding on the top surface of the leaf typically leads to
skeletonizing. The larvae, which mainly consume the roots of grasses,
result in significant harm to pastures, lawns, and golf courses. Nourishing
Harm to roots decreases the capacity of grass to absorb sufficient water to
endure pressures from high temperatures and arid conditions, leading to dead spots.
Emerald Ash Borer
Since 2002, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has decimated millions of thriving ash trees in the northern United States and southern Canada.
What is it about?
The emerald ash borer is a nonnative pest that has recently been discovered in the Twin Cities. It was initially found in Michigan in 2002 and has caused the death of millions of healthy ash trees. The ash trees in North America lack any way to defend themselves against these foreign insects. The most effective way to safeguard an ash tree from EAB is to applyan insecticide preventively while the trees remain healthy enough to completely absorb and disseminate the preventive treatment. Recent research, experiments, and practical experience have revealed the best strategies and treatment constraints for managing this harmful pest.
Indications and Indicators:
• “D” shaped opening in the bark
• Dividing bark
• Larvae consuming food beneath the bark
• Growing along the trunk and bigger branches
• Dieback of crowns or canopies
• Prominent woodpecker activity
Preventive Care:
If your tree shows no signs or symptoms of EAB activity, two treatment options are available according to the size and location of the ash tree. Most trees get a systemic trunk injection insecticide, but small ash trees under 20” in circumference typically need a soil injection insecticide treatment for 1 year. The size of the ash tree is assessed by measuring the circumference of its trunk, 4.5 feet above the ground. This systemic insecticide is administered directly into the tree trunk, minimizing effects on humans and the surroundings. This therapy must be done again every two years.
Therapeutic Therapy:
Green Goddess LLC will assess and implement therapeutic treatment for ash trees in this state individually.
TGR
Advantages:
Enhance Resistance to Drought
Improve Root Output
Enhanced Leaves
Minimize Canopy Growth
Assistance with Construction Damage (before or after)
Reduced Pruning Expenses
Maintain Tree at a More Controllable Size
Lusher, denser leaves assist trees in minimizing water evaporation and offer a sturdier shield against insect and disease harm, enabling treated trees to function as more effective energy producers.
How it functions:
The hormone gibberellin facilitates the vegetative growth, specifically branches, by promoting cell elongation in trees. Paclobutrazol is a substance that decreases the synthesis of the hormone gibberellin in plants. Due to diminished growth in branches, the tree must redirect its surplus energy to other areas within itself. This results in a rise in root development and healthier foliage.
OAK WILT
The mighty oak is under attack from the virulent fungus known as oak wilt. Oak wilt is often mistaken for other oak ailments and treatment prognosis is different for Red Oak and White Oak species. If wilt is found; fungicide trunk injections can prevent spread of wilt through roots or even stop disease progression in infected White Oak species. Treatments last at least 2 years and sometimes up to 3 years.
Root graft wilt spread occurs between Oaks of the same species that are in close proximity...generally 30 feet or less. Trenching or vibratory plow services may be recommended to sever root connections. Spread of wilt can occur over longer distances between all species from beetles visiting fungal mats and wounds. This is why pruning oaks from April-June is not advised; spread from beetles is rare from July-October. Ideally, Oaks should be pruned from November-March.
Confirmation of Oak Wilt and other diseases is possible with the University of Minnesota Plant Disease Clinic. This is a link to their website: https://pdc.umn.edu/
UMN Resources & Pest Calendar
https://extension.umn.edu/solve-problem/plant-diseases
PLANT DISEASE CLINIC FOR DISEASE DIAGNOSIS: https://pdc.umn.edu/
Diseases and conditions that can affect many trees
Armillaria root rot
Crown gall
Non-harmful tree conditions
Diseases of deciduous trees and shrubs
Leaf spot diseases of trees and shrubs
Powdery mildew on trees and shrubs
Anthracnose in& trees and shrubs
Apple scab of apples and crabapples
Black knot
Black rot of apple
Cedar-apple rust and related rust diseases
Dutch elm disease
Eutypella canker
Fire blight
Golden canker of pagoda dogwood
Hypoxylon canker
Oak wilt
Sooty blotch and flyspeck
Diseases of evergreen trees and shrubs
Brown spot needle blight
Cedar-apple rust and related rust diseases
Cytospora canker
Diplodia shoot blight and canker
Dothistroma needle blight
Dwarf mistletoe
Lirula needle blight
Pine gall rusts
Pine needle rust
Rhizosphaera needle cast
Sirococcus blight of conifers
Spruce needle rust
Tomentosus root rot
White pine blister rust
https://pdc.umn.edu/submit-sample
We can deliver test samples for $200 or you can directly deliver to the UMN plant disease clinic.
Writing instructions for every conceivable situation is difficult. If you're unsure about how to gather an accurate sample of potential costs for your situation, reach out to the lab at (612) 625-1275 or email pdc@umn.edu with your inquiries.
Universal suggestions
Gather symptomatic plants that remain alive. Gathering plants at different stages of deterioration is an effective approach for obtaining a sample. When shipping, it's generally advisable to send plant material in a box instead of an envelope.
Non-woody plants
herbaceous specimen
For herbaceous plants, if feasible, submit whole plant(s). Incorporate as much of the root structure as you can. To maintain root integrity, excavate (instead of pulling) symptomatic plants from the soil. Encase roots in plastic (left image). Encase the plant(s) in dry newspaper and put in plastic (right image). Costs range (typically $50- $65). Contact us via phone or email if you have inquiries.
Spruce and Pine
fir samples
For spruce and fir, check for bud scars (refer to arrows in images) to ensure that a minimum of 3 years' growth (observe yellow brackets in the left image) is part of the sample. Certain illnesses may not be found in the latest growth, making it essential to consider older growth. Encase in dry newspaper and subsequently in plastic for shipping. The majority of issues with spruce and other coniferous trees can be identified through standard tests, thus the charge is $50.
Oak Illness
For oak disease assessment ($75 - $95), obtain your sample from branches that are actively wilting. If feasible, please incorporate 3-5 branches (no more). Branches approximately 1 inch in diameter are good for testing; however, it's more crucial that they come from actively wilting regions of the tree. Seal in a plastic bag to maintain humidity. Stay calm until it’s submitted. Seal tree wounds immediately with one coat of shellac or water-based paint when oak wilt risk is present. If the sample isn't a trunk cookie, ensure the branch diameter is below 4 inches and the length is under 4 feet.
Testing for Verticillium Wilt or Dutch Elm Disease
sample of the virus
For testing Verticillium Wilt or Dutch Elm Disease (wood culture $75), gather your sample from branches that are actively wilting. If feasible, incorporate 3-5 branches (no more). Branches approximately 1 inch in diameter are suitable for testing; however, the most crucial factor is that they come from regions on the tree that are actively wilting. Cover sample with plastic to preserve moisture. Remain calm until it's submitted.
Virus Testing: Certain tests are not available - contact us prior to sending.
For virus testing, gather symptomatic leaves, stems, or whole plants. Cover with aluminum foil. Ensuring that these samples remain moist during shipping is crucial. Avoid adding additional water to the bags. Costs range from $50 to over $100. As of September 2021, certain tests (TEM / ISEM) are presently not accessible. Reach out via call or email if you have inquiries.
Nematode examination
Nematode examination necessitates that nematodes stay alive. Consequently, it is essential that soil for nematode analysis is not subjected to excessive heat and/or drying out.
Garlic Bloat Nematode Examination: If you wish to become a vendor at the Garlic Festival, visit the Garlic Festival page of the Sustainable Farming Association. Check the 'Garlic Disease Testing' section for links to 'Garlic Bloat Nematode Testing Procedure' and 'Garlic Bloat Nematode Samples Submission Form.' Growers who do not apply for the Garlic Festival can adhere to the same instructions, but there is no deadline. Samples can be sent at any time.
Additional nematode assays: For soil specimens, send them in durable plastic bags to preserve moisture. Additional instructions for sample collection can be provided upon request. Kindly consult the link provided above for guidance.
Send a Sample Submission Form
Testing for Verticillium Wilt or Dutch Elm Disease
sample of the virus
For testing Verticillium Wilt or Dutch Elm Disease (wood culture $75), gather your sample from branches that are actively wilting. If feasible, incorporate 3-5 branches (no more). Branches approximately 1 inch in diameter are suitable for testing; however, the most crucial factor is that they come from regions on the tree that are actively wilting. Cover sample with plastic to preserve moisture. Remain calm until it's submitted.
Virus Testing: Certain tests are not available - contact us prior to sending.
For virus testing, gather symptomatic leaves, stems, or whole plants. Cover with aluminum foil. Ensuring that these samples remain moist during shipping is crucial. Avoid adding additional water to the bags. Costs range from $50 to over $100. As of September 2021, certain tests (TEM / ISEM) are presently not accessible. Reach out via call or email if you have inquiries.
Nematode examination
Nematode examination necessitates that nematodes stay alive. Consequently, it is essential that soil for nematode analysis is not subjected to excessive heat and/or drying out.
Garlic Bloat Nematode Examination: If you wish to become a vendor at the Garlic Festival, visit the Garlic Festival page of the Sustainable Farming Association. Check the 'Garlic Disease Testing' section for links to 'Garlic Bloat Nematode Testing Procedure' and 'Garlic Bloat Nematode Samples Submission Form.' Growers who do not apply for the Garlic Festival can adhere to the same instructions, but there is no deadline. Samples can be sent at any time.
Additional nematode assays: For soil specimens, send them in durable plastic bags to preserve moisture. Additional instructions for sample collection can be provided upon request. Kindly consult the link provided above for guidance.
Send a Sample Submission Form