Copper is toxic to many invertebrates.In reef aquariums, it is something we avoid,b/c it hurts corals and other life.It is also a good treatment for disease in fish.With snails and slugs,it is best to place the copper tape or even some pennies around the outside of the pot,but attatched tot he post.This stops the critters from crawling up the pot and eliminates any concern of contricting or harming the trunk of the tree.Pennies or tape can be places in the pot in a circle aroung the trunk,but not on it,so they would have to cross the copper,before gettting to the trunk.The copper is like an electric fence to the slugs and snails,it reacts with their mucus and ''shocks them''.The problem with the beer and other attempts at bait is that if the snails or slugs bypass the traps,they still get to the tree,they wil not cross properly placed copper.

After speaking to the grower source of several of my citrus, I have been advised to allow the small, hair-like roots to remain partially exposed. For those plants in the ground, you may want to form a short berm around the dripline to allow for deep watering, on an as needed basis. When planting your citrus, do not smother the citrus by burying the top of the root ball below grade...keep it at grade level. This applies whether you transplant into a pot or in the ground. Your citrus will reward your thoughtfulness, and I speak from experience. Good luck! - ~:-)

they will probably be okay, Vivian, but it does help to see how extensive the damage is. Just snap some photos, load them to your computer, then you can just just click on the "Browse" button next to the "Image fiel to upload (optional): and browse to your photo to upload it. Very easy :-) Patty S.

I called a tree trimmer/cert arborist today. Murray's tree service-- in case any of you have used prior. He's supposed to come out on Thurs. to take a look and give me an estimate on trimming the oak. He said that it does indeed sound like the fungal problem that is going around Pinellas and Hillsborough currently. He said that professional growers have lost a lot of trees to it this year. It is an airborne fungus and highly contagious and will kill your tree and also spread to others. Definitely not good news. Today, I noticed my orange tree now has the same symptoms. He also recommended the copper fungicide as well, which I will definitely try (have not found any YET...at least at Lowes). But he said that it has not provided much to prevent the ultimate decline of the tree. I'm going to wait to see what he says further once he gets here on Thursday and will try the copper stuff. I'm not one to cut down a tree unless it is actually dead or close to it. While it is still bearing fruit and has leaves, it can stay in my yard. I am hoping for a miracle.... :(