HOrT COCO-UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa

Client's Request: I'm a trapper in the Ag Department. We have been looking for plum bud gall mites in the county. I recently came across this plum tree with a huge growth or gall, it's 8" long and 7" wide on the underside of a branch, the tree is around 15 years old.

Advice for the Home Gardener from the Help Desk of the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County Gardener's request: I've just caught and identified what looks like a California Angle-wing Katydid.

Advice for Home Gardeners from the Help Desk of the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County Home Gardener's Request: I found 2 of these little beetle like bugs about 1/4-inch long in our home. Are they cockroaches? I've seen them outside as well.

Advice for the Home Gardener from the Help Desk of the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County Gardener's Request: We just moved into a 30-year-old house in the East Bay hills, and we expect to stay here a long time. We have numerous oaks and Bay trees on the property.

Advice from the Help Desk of the UC Master Gardener Program for Contra Costa County When to Remove Garden Monterey Pines Client's Request:I live in El Sobrante near the San Pablo Reservoir. On August 8th PG&E had a tree crew come to prune trees away from the power lines.