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Normal

Several normal structures on certain plants or natural occurrences such as the annual needle drop on pines can be mistaken for insects, disease or other problems. Following is a selection of normal structures or natural occurrences that gardeners may incorrectly identify as a problem.
Images: Click on image to enlarge or on underlined captions for more information.

These rhododendron leaves may look diseased but actually this is normal pubescence
High resolution image available.

Normal pubescence on rhododendron leaves
High resolution image available.

Normal pubescence on rhododendron leaves
High resolution image available.

Yellowing leaves on ash (Fraxinus) caused by normal senescence in the fall.
High resolution image available.

Close-up of yellowing leaves on ash (Fraxinus) caused by normal senescence in the fall.
High resolution image available.

Nodules of nitrogen fixing bacteria on soybean (Glycine) roots
High resolution image available.

Close-up of nodules of nitrogen fixing bacteria on soybean (Glycine) roots
High resolution image available.

Annual needle drop on juniper (Juniperus)
High resolution image available.

Close-up of annual needle drop on juniper (Juniperus)
High resolution image available.

Annual needle drop on arborvitae (Thuja)
High resolution image available.

Close-up of annual needle drop on arborvitae (Thuja)
High resolution image available.

A pin oak (Quercus palustris) with normal root flare
High resolution image available.

The swollen crown on this ash tree (Fraxinus) indicates the graft union and is normal for a grafted tree
High resolution image available.

Some plants produce corky bark along their branches like this burning bush or winged euonymus (Euonymus alatus), although this may look odd, it is normal
High resolution image available.

Curled leaves on this peach (Prunus) may be just an individual quirk and is normal for this plant
High resolution image available.

Yellowing leaves on linden (Tilia) caused by normal senescence in the fall
High resolution image available.

At first glance the cluster of hairs in the vein axils on this pin oak leaf (Quercus palustris) may look unusual, but they are normal and can be found on all pin oak leaves
High resolution image available.

Not all cones are cone-shaped, as the cone on this bald cypress (Taxodium), which is often mistaken for a gall
High resolution image available.

Raised lenticels might be mistaken for insects or other growths but they are perfectly normal for a forsythia (Forsythia)
High resolution image available.

Normal needle drop on jack pine (Pinus banksiana); note, yellow inner needles
High resolution image available.

Normal needle drop on jack pine (Pinus banksiana); note, yellow inner needles while growing tips are unaffected
High resolution image available.

Yellowed interior needles on white pine (Pinus strobus) caused by normal needle drop; note that growing tips are unaffected
High resolution image available.

Yellowed interior needles on white pine (Pinus strobus) caused by normal needle drop; note that growing tips are unaffected
High resolution image available.
 

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