These may be my favorite trees in Charleston

If only you could have walked down King Street today in Charleston. Not the shopping district (absolutely not),but just above Broad Street. That is where you would have found a pair of Ginkgos flanking the entrance to the Charleston Library Society at the peak of their fall display.

And they are two of the grandest trees in Charleston.

They go fairly unnoticed through the year; We are a city that worships the Live Oak. But every year, just as everyone is hanging wreaths and stringing lights, the Gingkos command all the attention.

I particularly love the two Gingkos on King Street because of their surrounding architecture and landscape. There is something to be said for a strong, simple design supported by a Podocarpus hedge, two Gingko trees and a manicured lawn.

And the heavy dose of Spanish Moss hanging from the branches just makes me love them more. (How is that possible?!)

I could go on for days, but I'll let the pictures make you jealous that you weren't here to see it for yourself.Perfection.

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you will live forever." Mahatma Gandhi

Tree Cattle

Over the last few days, several people have called (in a panic) to ask me what is covering their trees. They describe a ghostly sheath that envelops the branches and trunk. "Spooky" is the adjective that everyone seems to use when describing this phenomenon.

The fine webbing is spun by tiny insects called psocids- commonly called bark lice or tree cattle (I prefer the latter). They spin their webs over the bark to protect themselves from wind, weather and predators. Under this silk stocking, the tree cattle "graze" across the bark's landscape feeding on lichens, fungi and debris.

Tree cattle are beneficial insects, cleaning off the tree and helping it be healthy. Expect to find them on hardwoods like Magnolia and Oak from about mid-August to October.

Bird Watching

I saw two Wood Storks, a Blue Heron, a Green Heron and a Roseate Spoonbill this morning all taking advantage of the low tide.

I love seeing Wood Storks, but the Roseate Spoonbill is exiting! This species, Ajaia ajaja, usually does not come this far north; It's range is along the Gulf states and south down to Chile and Argentina.

Roseate Spoonbill, John James Audubon:

Mite Damage on Camellias

Southern Red Mites love the southern garden evergreen staples: Japanese Camellia, Japanese Holly, Magnolia and Azlaea. It seems to be attracted to the Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica) more than the others, causing the leaves to become dull and silvery.

When I get called into a garden that is infested with the Southern Red Mites, it is most commonly confused with Sunscald.

This tiny pest (you need a hand lens to see them) is dormant right now, but once the temperatures cool down a bit, it will be back. All of the damage you see now actually occurred last winter and spring- it's frustrating.


If you had this pest in your garden or nursery last year, they will be back. The best product to use is Horticultural-Grade Oil (sometimes sold as "Ultrafine Oil"). Spray the leaves and stems with oil a few times in the fall and winter to essentially smother them.

*Southern Red Mites do not affect Sasanqua Camellias, only the Japanese Camellias