Q. Enclosed are pictures of my yellow cassia, which is planted close to my walkway, and my neighbor’s similar tree. Her tree is about 12 feet wide and 20 feet tall without many blossoms. My tree is over-flowing with yellow flowers, which attract butterflies, bees and wasps. It is starting to produce long bean-like growths. My neighbor’s tree does not have any pods. My ground orchids suddenly died. What is wrong with them? I have photos of my foxtail palm with white growths. What can I do to treat the palm? – Myra Miller, Coconut Creek

A. You have the Desert Cassia, which is the superior plant. Your neighbor has the Glaucous Cassia, which is subject to being blown down by strong winds. Both trees bloom well but watering schedule and sunlight can affect the bloom. Cassias like it sunny and dry. I suggest dahoon holly as a substitute. It is long lived and blooms for a short time. Female plants produce nice red berries. Plant the new tree well away from your gate/walkway area.

Your ground orchids have fungal damage. Keep mulch 1-2 inches from plant stems. The mulch keeps everything damp and promotes fungal problems. Spray the plants with Daconil and repeat in 10 days. Spray the plant following label directions. Keep the orchids on the dry side.

The foxtail palm has mealy bug. Spray with Safer’s Insecticidal Soap and repeat treat in 10 days.

Q. Our bayberry tree is being chewed by many small caterpillars. How can I prevent this damage? – Don Banister, Lauderhill

A. Use Thuricide, an organic stomach poison that only affects caterpillars. Spray in the early morning when it is calm and repeat treatment in 10 days.

Q. How can I get rid of those tiny hard shell spiders? They are in my pool/patio area. I do not like using pesticides and use a broom or mop to clear them away. How can I get rid of them?- Linda Torlone, Pembroke Pines

A. Remove all spiders and nests from the patio area first. Use Neem oil as a barrier along the outside of the screened area and around the screened door area. Paint around any openings in the screening.

Q. I have a 10-year-old royal poinciana located 12 feet from my house. The tree has a circumference of 42 inches. Is there any danger of roots going under the house foundation? – Robert Berg, Boynton Beach

A. Royal poinciana has shallow roots that potentially could cause damage. Install Deep Root Barrier as close as possible to the house foundation. Arborist Supply House in Oakland Park, 954-561-9527, carries the barrier and can install it for you.

Q. I have a 2-year-old oleander tree that is 8 feet tall. It drops leaves suddenly from within the tree. This has happened four times in two years. I fertilized and the tree is planted in full sun. What is wrong? – James Miller, Delray Beach

A. The oleander grows rapidly and will lose old interior leaves as it produces new foliage. The plant should not be pruned to avoid fatal bacterial gall, which can be spread by pruning sheers. Oleander likes full sun and dry conditions. This plant will grow to about 15-20 feet tall. Reduce watering and fertilize in March, June and October with palm fertilizer.

Write Robert Haehle, Home & Garden section, Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-2293 or e-mail . Full name, address and phone number must be included. Plants cannot be identified without a photograph. Photos cannot be returned.